Independence Archives - Page 2 of 5 - Outlook

In episode 11 of Outlook On-Air, we sit down with Julia Lockette, Accounting Specialist at Union Pacific, who shares her journey with vision loss and the role Outlook Enrichment has played in her life. She also offers heartfelt advice and talks about becoming an advocate for coworkers experiencing vision loss.

Teresa Selden, Julia’s boss and Revenue Account Manager – International Intermodal, at Union Pacific, also joins us. Teresa discusses the importance of open communication, ensuring Julia has access to the latest adaptive technology, and creating a workplace culture rooted in empathy, collaboration, and support.

Their story reminds us that accessibility fuels possibility. Workplaces that prioritize inclusion unlock potential, drive success, and embody what National Disability Employment Awareness Month is all about.

This year, we’re honored to celebrate a very special milestone, Ben Micek’s 20th anniversary at Outlook Nebraska. Ben has been an essential part of our team for two decades, and his journey exemplifies both personal and professional growth, as well as the importance of creating equal opportunity for individuals from all backgrounds. Having been with Outlook since nearly the beginning, Ben has a unique perspective on how far the organization has come from moving locations and expanding shifts to launching new products and programs. He’s been here through it all.

How Early Support Systems Empowered Ben’s Journey

Ben’s journey with vision loss began at birth. He was born blind in his right eye and with no peripheral vision in his left. While the exact cause is unknown, he believes it may be genetic. Later, at age 18, he was also diagnosed with glaucoma, an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve, leading to vision loss over time. His family believes his diagnosis may have been triggered by the stress of undergoing multiple surgeries during childhood. Fortunately, there are treatments today that help slow or prevent vision loss from the disease.

His Individualized Education Program (IEP) ensured he had the accommodations and tools needed to succeed academically. Support from the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI) provided orientation and braille training in his early high school years, helping him build essential skills for independence. Throughout it all, his family offered constant encouragement, reinforcing his confidence and determination to thrive.

It was NCBVI who first connected Ben with Outlook Nebraska through its Work and Gain Experience in the Summer (WAGES) program in 2005. At the time, he was looking to gain real-world work experience and connect with others in the blind and visually impaired (BVI) community. The six-week program, designed for BVI youth ages 16–21, offers job training along with skill-building and social opportunities.

Creating a Long-Term Career at Outlook Nebraska

Ben joined Outlook Nebraska when the organization was just five years old, working out of its former I Street location before the move. He recalls a highly collaborative environment where everyone wore multiple hats, shared workspaces, and came together to support one another as the organization’s mission took shape.

Today, Ben serves as an Accounting Associate, a role he’s held throughout his time at Outlook. He plays a key role in Outlook’s financial operations, managing accounts payable and handling bill payments for Outlook Nebraska and its related entities. “I knew nothing about accounting or Excel when I started,” Ben says. “Everything I’ve learned, I’ve learned here.” This year, he led the rollout of a new electronic filing system, a significant initiative that replaced outdated processes and helped streamline operations across departments. To support his daily work, adaptive technologies such as ZoomText, CCTVs, and VoiceOver are his go-tos.

Among Ben’s favorite memories at Outlook is being named Associate of the Year and traveling to Washington, D.C. to attend a National Industries for the Blind (NIB) conference. Reflecting on what has meant the most to him during his career, Ben shares, “Just having Outlook see me as me. They don’t define me by my visual impairment; they see my potential.”

Ben’s Path to Self-Advocacy and Higher Education

Ben’s journey at Outlook has shaped him in many ways. “I’ve become more confident and outgoing,” he shares. “The people here definitely played a part in that, beyond just teaching me new skills.” Following the loss of his father, Ben experienced a major turning point in his life that led to even greater personal growth. “I had to reinvent myself,” he says. “I became my own advocate, something I wasn’t able to do when I was younger.”

In 2024, Ben earned his associate’s degree in Business and General Studies, fulfilling a goal he had been considering for some time. He credits a conversation with a fellow Outlook associate for giving him the push he needed to enroll at Metropolitan Community College. “If you have the drive and the right support system, whether that’s family or an organization, chase your dream if it’s what you want,” he says.

Having lived these experiences, Ben hopes more individuals in the BVI community are given the same opportunities. “Give people a second chance, or give more people who are BVI a first chance, by finding jobs or opportunities for them,” he says.

Over the years, Ben has become a reliable figure for our associates, not only due to his dedication to his role but also because of his sense of humor, positivity, and perspective. Ben has consistently demonstrated what is achievable when individuals are empowered to grow, learn, and feel a sense of belonging. His voice and experiences are vital parts of our history, and we are grateful for the insights he has shared with us. Ben, thank you for 20 years of loyalty, impact, and heart. We’re lucky to have you on our team.

Want to help create more stories like Ben’s? Learn how you can support Outlook’s mission of positively impacting everyone who is blind or visually impaired through employment and community programs. Get involved today!

In this episode, we meet two Outlook associates who aren’t afraid to step outside their comfort zones. Marisa Ethofer, Outlook Nebraska’s HR Generalist, and Megan Mackie, Outlook Enrichment’s Community Events Coordinator, both took a swing at something new by participating in Outlook Enrichment’s Blind Golfers Clinic on our golf simulator and later hitting the greens at our annual Tee It Up Fore Sight tournament. They share their stories of practicing, playing, and embracing the unexpected.

We’re also joined by attorney Steve Schmidt, who breaks down the basics of estate planning, why it matters, especially if you or a loved one has a disability and receives government assistance, and how to protect your assets for the future.

Vision loss is different for everyone. Some are born blind, while others lose their sight later in life. Some have partial vision that remains stable, while others experience gradual or total loss. Each journey is personal and shaped by many factors, such as lifestyle, support systems, and timing.

For Rondae Hill, vision loss has been an ongoing journey marked by strength, setbacks, and self-discovery. What makes her story powerful isn’t just the challenges she’s faced; it’s how she continues to rise, rebuild, and inspire others along the way. This is her story.

Every Vision Loss Journey Is Unique

Vision loss comes in many shapes and sizes. Some people are born blind, while others lose their sight later in life. Some eye conditions leave people with some usable vision, and some continue to progress, leading to total blindness. All of these factors impact one’s vision loss journey and their path to reaching their goals.

At Outlook Enrichment, our philosophy is a little different than other organizations. It’s important to meet people where they are, and if circumstances change, our doors are always open to tackle the next challenge.

It is through these doors that Rondae recently entered, seeking the support and skills to move forward in her vision loss journey. Rondae is not new to vision loss. She was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa about 20 years ago. Then, a macular hole took her eyesight from her right eye two years later. Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) often leads to gradual deterioration of the retina, usually leading to total blindness. The news was hard to digest, and Rondae admits that mentally, she was not where she needed to be to move forward. At the time, she was a single parent, running a daycare and doing independent contracting on the side. When she reached out for help, she couldn’t find an option that would allow her to get the training she needed while simultaneously fulfilling her responsibilities at home.

Finding Strength & Support Amidst Setbacks

As her eyesight started slipping, so did her mental health, job, and housing. She no longer felt safe doing daycare, as she perceived herself to be a liability. With kids to support, she found herself going from self-employed to unemployed and from having a home to living in someone else’s basement.

She was reminded of her uphill battle every time her eyesight declined, but these worries had to be pushed to the side. She was, first and foremost, a mother now trying to make it on a fixed income. She would eventually become a grandma in the same situation when she adopted her three grandkids and committed to being their sole caretaker and provider.

As they say, before you help others, you must first help yourself. She began to take advantage of all the resources Outlook has to offer, from recreational activities to adaptive technology training and peer support groups.

“I absolutely enjoy the support group meetings. I wish it had been available 20 years ago. It may have been the thing to help me after my diagnosis. Meeting and sharing with people like you is so important. Sometimes, blindness or disabilities in general can be isolating,” said Rondae.

Embracing a New Chapter With Confidence

It was technology training at Outlook that truly motivated Rondae. She is focusing on learning to use JAWS, a screen reader that allows users to navigate their computer screen with little or no eyesight. Rondae admits JAWS has been a challenge, but is putting her new tech skills to the test by writing a book about her life.

“I’m trying for the third time to learn technology. The first two times, I was both a parent and mentally not ready to learn. With RP, you are kind of in a constant state of grieving every time your vision changes, and sometimes that can be overwhelming and stop the learning process,” said Rondae.

Before being diagnosed with vision loss, Rondae did not know anyone else who was blind or had low vision. Recently, she’s found herself surrounded by the blind community. She attended Outlook Enrichment’s White Cane Day Happy Hour last October and was delighted to engage in positive activities with people who share similar experiences.

In the winter, Rondae brought her grandkids to our family ice skating event with the Lancers. Being a single grandma on a fixed income with vision and hearing loss and no transportation can be limiting. Usually, she improvises by walking with her grandkids to places nearby. Not only did her grandkids get to ice skate, meet the Lancers players, and get tickets to a Lancers game, but Rondae loved being able to expose them to other blind people who are living life to the fullest.

With the future of her eyesight unknown, Rondae is constantly questioning what will happen if she becomes totally blind. How will she care for her grandkids? How will she support herself and her family? She is finding the answers to those questions thanks to peer support and acquiring the skills and tools she needs to continue her vision loss journey. She’s envisioning herself going big, traveling, and inspiring others through mentoring and public speaking.

Go Rondae! We’ll be here cheering you on.

Vision loss doesn’t mean the end of your story; it’s the start of a new chapter. At Outlook Enrichment, we’re here to support community members like Rondae every step of the way, providing tools, training, and connections to help you move forward with confidence.

No matter where you are in your journey, you don’t have to walk it alone. Connect with Outlook Enrichment today.

When most people think of adaptive technology for those who are blind or visually impaired, screen readers, magnifiers, and phone applications often come to mind. And while these tools play an essential role in increasing access and independence, there is one skill that still holds powerful value today: braille.

With so many tools available today, braille might seem like a thing of the past, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Braille continues to offer meaningful, everyday benefits from strengthening literacy to making daily tasks more manageable and efficient. Here’s why braille still deserves a place in your adaptive technology toolbox.

A Brief History of Braille

Braille has continued to empower individuals with vision loss for over two centuries, enabling them to navigate the world independently. The tactile system was invented in 1824 by Louis Braille, a French educator who lost his vision at a young age. His system of raised dots, which represent letters and numbers, allows individuals who are blind or visually impaired to read and write through touch.

Although technology continues to evolve, braille remains a vital tool for both literacy and independence. It offers a tactile alternative to visual or audio-based information and proves especially useful when other resources are unavailable or impractical.

Why Braille Still Has a Place in a Tech-Filled World

While screen readers and smart devices are beneficial and frequently used, they have limitations. Closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) are stationary, smartphones require charging, and magnifiers don’t always work well in every environment. Braille offers a low-maintenance, no-power-required option that’s available anytime, anywhere.

Of course, braille isn’t for everyone. Health conditions like arthritis, neuropathy, or reduced finger sensitivity can make it more challenging to use. However, even in these cases, learning “survival braille”, a few key characters used for labeling or spot-reading, can still be valuable.

Building Stronger Literacy Through Touch

For individuals who are completely blind, braille plays a crucial role in developing literacy skills, such as grammar and sentence structure, which are difficult to grasp through audio or visual formats alone.

Additionally, braille supports digital literacy. Tools like braille keyboards and notetakers make tasks like taking notes, writing emails, or drafting documents more accessible and efficient. Keep in mind, braille doesn’t have to be your only method of reading. Screen readers, audiobooks, and radio reading services, such as Radio Talking Book, are also great options. The key is to find a combination of resources that work for your lifestyle and comfort level.

Everyday Uses for Braille

When considering braille, one might view it solely as a means for literacy, which is not entirely accurate. Braille can be used in specific situations, including finding the right button in an elevator or identifying office or apartment numbers. Braille signage is required by law in many public spaces under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), making the world more navigable for individuals with vision loss.

Its benefits multiply when combined with braille dots or labels that can be attached to just about anything. In the kitchen, braille dots can help you organize and quickly find items in your fridge, cabinets, or pantry. In your closet, you can sort and identify clothing, as well as distinguish colors. Braille can help you find the correct prescription bottle in your bathroom, distinguish between shampoo and conditioner, and organize your hygiene and cleaning products. All of this is possible without looking for a magnifier or a phone application. In these scenarios, however, braille can often be the quickest and most efficient way for blind individuals to read.

Start Your Learning Journey With Outlook Enrichment

Learning braille may feel overwhelming at first, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Outlook Enrichment, braille instruction is part of our Adaptive Technology program, designed to help you achieve your personal goals, whether you’re new to braille or looking to brush up on your skills.

Sessions are held weekly for one hour and focus on foundational braille concepts and rules, helping you build confidence step by step. Our team will work with you on practical applications, such as labeling household items, identifying key signage, or utilizing braille technology. Whether you’re aiming to learn “survival braille” for everyday use or are interested in becoming more fluent, we’re here to support your journey toward greater independence.

Braille remains a powerful and practical system for anyone navigating vision loss. Whether you’re using it to label everyday items, build literacy skills, or complement other adaptive technologies, braille offers greater independence and confidence in daily life.

If you’re ready to add braille to your adaptive technology toolbox, we’re here to support you. Complete our contact form to get started. We’d love to help you take the first step.

In this special episode, the mic is turned around! Jill Thomas, former co-host of Pat and JT in the Morning on Sweet 98.5 (KQKQ) and current host of the Pat & JT podcast, takes the lead to interview our usual host, Dennis Nelson.

In their conversation, Dennis opens up about his upbringing, including being adopted and living with congenital blindness caused by detached retinas. He reflects on his path through various jobs before discovering his true passion: radio. Dennis shares how that passion grew into a fulfilling career and marked a new chapter when he connected with Outlook.

Creating a Workplace Culture Where Inclusion Drives Empowerment

Celebrating Two Decades of Dedication With Ben Micek