Nancy Miller: Vision Loss: A Family Affair

Nancy D. Miller works with people of all ages that are blind and multi-disabled and their families and unpaid caregivers. She is Executive Director/CEO of VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired since 1987. VISIONS serves over 7000 people each year with in-home, community and center-based day and overnight services. VISIONS annual budget is $10 million.

Ms. Miller has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University and a Master of Science Degree in Social Work from Columbia University in group work and aging. Ms. Miller serves on the Board of Directors of LiveOn New York She is a founder and President of the New York Vision Rehabilitation Association and serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Gerontological Social Work and the Priorities and Policy Committee of the Human Services Council. She is a co-Founder and Board member of the Disabilities Network of NYC.

Ms. Miller has received the Community Trailblazers Award from Beyond Focus Media of Brooklyn, Practitioner of Distinction Award from National Rehabilitation Association, Maggie Kuhn Advocacy Award from Presbyterian Senior Services, Senator John E. Flynn Award from American Council of the Blind NY and VisionServe Alliance Excellence in Leadership Award.

About our discussion she says, "Whether you are born with no vision or limited vision or acquire a disease that causes vision loss later in life, adjustment takes time. Having support of family and friends can make all the difference in learning to cope and develop the skills needed to live a full and independent life. Ms. Miller will talk about the role of family and friends in understanding vision loss and why high expectations are so important. People with vision loss graduate from college, work, raise families of their own and contribute to society in many ways. Often the biggest obstacles comes from the stereotypes held by the general public."