World Services for the Blind

09/01/2026

Blindness doesn’t always mean seeing nothing.

In fact, many people who are legally blind have some usable vision. Blindness exists on a spectrum, and two people with the same diagnosis may experience the world very differently.

Someone might:
-See clearly in the center but not in their peripheral vision
-Have blurry or distorted vision
-See light, shapes or movement
-Have difficulty seeing in certain lighting
-Have little to no functional vision

That’s also why there’s no single “right” way to navigate life with vision loss. Some people use white canes. Some use guide dogs. Some use assistive technology. Some use a combination of tools.

The best thing you can do?

Don’t assume. Ask.

What’s something about blindness or visual impairment you wish more people understood? Drop it in the comments. 👇

08/26/2026

Did you know a blind man has summited Mt. Everest?
In 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

And he didn’t stop there, he went on to complete the Seven Summits, climbing the highest mountain on every continent.

His story is a powerful reminder of something we believe deeply at World Services for the Blind, blindness doesn’t determine a person’s potential.

Sometimes the biggest barriers aren’t physical,they’re the expectations we place on what someone can or can’t do.

08/24/2026

Please join us as we gather to celebrate the life of Lois Kiper.
Saturday, August 29, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
World Services for the Blind, Auditorium
2811 Fair Park Boulevard
Little Rock, AR 722044

Come as you are and be ready to share memories, laughter, and stories as we remember Lois and the many lives she touched.

Lois Catherine Kiper, 91, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2026.
Throughout her life, she exemplified kindness, determination, and a passion for helping others live life to its fullest.
Lois dedicated her professional career to serving others. She retired from World Services for the Blind in Little Rock, where she worked as an instructor in Home Management and Techniques of Daily Living for over three decades. Her patience, knowledge, and encouragement empowered countless trainees to achieve greater independence and confidence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to World Services for the Blind Foundation, supporting the mission that was so close to Lois’s heart.
https://worldservicesfortheblindfoundation-bloom.kindful.com/

Lois will be remembered for her generous spirit, unwavering dedication to helping others, adventurous heart, quick wit, and ability to bring people together through shared interests and genuine friendship. Whether teaching life skills, planning a Star Trek convention, attending conventions across the country, enjoying a cruise with loved ones, or spending time with family and her beloved cats, she lived with purpose and compassion. Her legacy will continue in the many lives she touched, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Take a moment to sign the virtual Guest Book online:
https://www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Lois-Catherine-Kiper?obId=49053666

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating Lois!

You matter to our clients! By giving to World Services for the Blind you help empower the Blind and Visually impaired to achieve sustainable independence.

08/19/2026

In 1928, they didn’t believe a dog could safely guide a blind man through New York City. Morris Frank and Buddy were about to prove them wrong.

Morris, who was blind, traveled all the way to Switzerland after hearing about dogs being trained to guide people who couldn’t see.

There, he met Buddy, the German Shepherd who would become his guide dog.

When Morris and Buddy returned to New York, reporters were waiting. Many were skeptical that a dog could safely guide a blind person through a busy city.

Together, they crossed a busy New York street and proved just how powerful the partnership between a guide dog and their handler could be.

Morris and Buddy’s story helped introduce Americans to the independence guide dogs can provide and helped pave the way for generations of guide dog teams to come.

WSB continues that same mission, helping people who are blind or visually impaired navigate the world with confidence and independence. Learn more here:
wsblind.org

08/17/2026

Website accessibility isn’t just a “nice to have” anymore.

New ADA Title II requirements are putting digital accessibility in the spotlight, with state and local governments required to make their websites and mobile apps meet specific accessibility standards.

But here’s the big question:

Who makes sure a website actually works for someone who is blind?

Accessibility Professionals do, many of whom are blind themselves.

They test websites, identify barriers, understand assistive technology like screen readers, and help organizations build digital experiences that work for everyone.

And at World Services for the Blind, we train people who are blind or visually impaired to become Accessibility Professionals, bringing something incredibly valuable to the field: lived experience.

As the digital world becomes more accessible, we’re helping prepare the professionals who can make it happen.

Learn about WSB’s Accessibility Professional Program:
wsblind.org/accessibilityprofessional

08/12/2026

Did you know piano tuning has a long history as a profession for people who are blind?

Think about what a piano tuner actually does: listens carefully to pitch, identifies tiny differences in sound, and makes precise adjustments until each note is just right. Those are skills that don't require sight, they require a great ear, patience, and technical expertise.

In fact, piano tuning has historically been taught as a vocational trade for people who are blind, creating opportunities for skilled, independent careers.

Sometimes the thing that makes you different can also make you exceptionally good at what you do.

At WSB, we believe in discovering strengths, building skills, and creating pathways to meaningful careers.

08/06/2026

Assistive technology changes lives, and so can you.

The Assistive Technology Instructor (ATI) Program at World Services for the Blind prepares students to become highly skilled professionals who teach and assess assistive technology for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Available on-campus and online, the program combines hands-on learning with real-world experience in screen readers, magnification, braille displays, mobile accessibility, Microsoft Office, instructional methods, and more. Graduates can also pursue the CATIS certification pathway.

If you're ready to turn your passion for accessibility into a meaningful career, WSB is here to help.

Learn more: wsblind.org/assistive-technology-instructor

07/28/2026

Today we spotlight Shaq!

Shaq's journey has taken him from the Republic of Palau to construction sites across the U.S., through addiction, homelessness, and unimaginable loss.

After a severe infection left him blind and without both legs, Shaq struggled to find purpose. Years later, another hospitalization became a turning point. A meeting with a blind mentor showed him that independence was still possible.

Today, Shaq is a student in World Services for the Blind's Assistive Technology Instructor (ATI) program, where he's rebuilding his confidence, learning new skills, and creating a future filled with possibility.

His story reminds us that our past does not define our future. With the right support, determination, and a community that believes in your potential, transformation is always possible.

At WSB, we're honored to walk alongside students like Shaq as they build lives of sustainable independence.

07/21/2026

Joining us are eric yarberry, president and ceo of world services for the blind, along with dr. kathy lenahan, founder of alta integrated wellness, to tell us more about what this partnership means and what it entails.

07/20/2026

If you missed our Mental Health Webinar with David Wright back in May, which was Mental Health Awareness Month, watch it now!

David is a licensed mental health therapist and visually impaired professional who brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to conversations around workplace stress, self-advocacy, accessibility, burnout, and mental wellness in professional settings.
Topics include:
• Managing workplace stress and anxiety
• Self-advocacy without burnout
• Accessibility and mental health
• Confidence in workplace communication
• Coping strategies for daily workplace challenges

David is a licensed mental health therapist and visually impaired p...