Succeed Without Sight Summit Info

Succeed Without Sight Summit

Welcome to the only global, virtual event of its kind ignites an entire community to come together to inspire action to change perceptions of blindness, arm those impacted by blindness with tools to thrive, connect people on this journey to each other – and have a heck of a lot of fun in the process!

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2021 SUMMIT IS CLOSED! Click the button below to purchase the recording of the entire summit.

The Succeed Without Sight Summit is now hosted at www.ThrivingBlindAcademy.org/summit Click here to go to the latest info on this year's event!

Blindness is not funny.
However, at the Succeed Without Sight Summit we have a lot of fun exploring
the challenges and triumphs of those that are thriving blind and living life on their terms with vision loss!

Do any of these sound like YOU?

You see blindness as devastating.

You are scared for your or your child’s future.

You wonder what is even possible for a blind person to do.

You have lots of questions about living with blindness.

You wish you could meet and learn from others that have figured out how to live life on their terms with vision loss.

The Succeed Without Sight Summit introduces you to people that are thriving with blindness to hear their inspirational stories and reveal key strategies to their success.

It connects you to other families walking your walk and to resources you need to succeed without sight.

70% of blind adults are unemployed
70% of blind high school students do not graduate
Only 14% earn a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

These horrific statistics can be changed for the better, much better. With the right beliefs and perceptions about blindness, combined with access to resources and mentors, those that are blind and visually impaired succeed in school and find employment, just like their sighted peers.

A Message from our Summit Kickoff Speakers,Two Blind Brothers:

Additional Featured Speakers:

Charlie Kramer, Life Coach, Singer/Songwriter, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Recently featured in USA Today

Eliana Mason, TEAM USA Paralympic Athlete (Goalball), Glaucoma, Recently competed in the Olympics in Tokyo

Olaya Landa-Vialard, Director American Printing House ConnectCenter

L.A. Williams, Vice President, Dealer Synergy, Music Producer, Blind

Dave Steel, aka The Blind Poet, Author, Speaker, Retinitis Pigmentosa

H. Eric Hartman, The Blind Traveler, NonProfit Executive, Choroideremia

All registered attendees receive full lineup of speakers and bios!

Summit Sponsors

What Are People Saying About the Summit?

"We did not expect to be tuned in for the entire summit! We listened to every speaker and learned so much and are feeling much better knowing our blind grandsons really will be ok. Thank you!"

2020 Succeed Without Sight Summit Attendee

"It was my first time attending something like this where I can relate to so many of the speakers. I am not a parent of a blind or visually impaired kid but I personally have usher syndrome 2a and am a wife and mom. I am grateful for how far I have come and so happy to be able to experience things like this and be a part of a community of others like me."

2020 Summit Attendee

"It was beyond amazing, I was tuned in for all 3 days, and every speaker every input was so diverse and so impactful."

2020 Summit Speaker/Attendee

"Sponsoring the 2020 Succeed Without Sight Summit provided Asset Based Consulting with an opportunity for a global reach. Our participation led to connections, relationships, and partnerships with people from all over the world. We're honored and grateful to have had the opportunity to support the mission and can't wait to be a part of the next one!"

-Michele Whitman, Founder, Asset Based Consulting, Succeed Without Sight Summit Sponsor

BECOME A SPONSOR!

Who Hosts the Succeed Without Sight Summit?

The Summit is hosted by Thriving Blind Academy, a joint effort of Kristin Smedley (Speaker, Best Selling Author and Mom of two blind sons) and Charlie Collins (Speaker, Author, Entreprenuer with Retinitis Pigmentosa).

The mission of the Thriving Blind Academy is to equip people and families living with blindness and low vision to thrive. It is the connection for those experiencing sight loss to the resources they need to live purposeful lives on their terms.

The Succeed Without Sight Summit is a FREE EVENT that supports scholarships for families and individuals to join Thriving Blind Academy. While the Summit is one of the most inspirational and motivational events folks have ever experienced, the goal of it is to ignite families and individuals to take action to succeed without sight. Learn more about TBA here.

"Kristin takes something that is scary for some--perhaps many, and creates a safe space where people can come and talk and learn and share, and where the energy stays positive and practical."

-Ron Brooks, TBA Mentor, Succeed Without Sight Summit Speaker

Key components of the summit

Attend

Registration is closed. Purchase the recordings of the live presentations/discussions by clicking the button below. NOTE: Thriving Blind Academy Members receive the recording for free!

Purchase Recording Now!

Sponsor

All sponsorship dollars fund scholarships for families and individuals to join the Thriving Blind Academy Membership Program, a year long program that connects those impacted by blindness to the tools, resources and mentors they need to thrive.

Become A Sponsor!

Speak

Summit Speakers are by invitation only. If you would like to be a speaker or would like to refer an extraordinary speaker, please send an email to ThrivingBlind@gmail.com and put “Summit Speaker” in the subject line. Include a brief overview of the speaker and why he/she will be an asset to the Summit and the Thriving Blind Community.

Apply As A Speaker!

The Recordings from the 2020 Summit are also Available for Purchase and Include Presentations from:

Summit MAIN EVENT Part 1. Speakers include:

Kirk Adams, CEO American Foundation for the Blind
Dave Steele, the Blind Poet
Morten Bonde, LEGO Corporation and Author Of Sentenced to Blindness: Now What?
Michelle Whitman, Asset Based Consulting
Michael Smedley, Jr, PENN STATE student, Co-Host Jigsaw Politics Podcast
Ron Brooks, Transit Industry Professional
Daniel Lubiner, TouchPadPro.org

Summit MAIN EVENT Part 2. Speakers include:

Stephanae McCoy & Nasreen Bhutta, Bold Blind Beauty
Orly Shamir, Blind Culinary Artist
Jill Dolgin, AGTC (Spotlight Sponsor)
Clarke Reynolds, Blind Artist
Mike May & Good Maps (Spotlight Sponsor)
Education Panel featuring Kim Owens (Navigating Blindness) Kathy Nimmer (Teacher of the Year) Kaleigh Brendel (High School Student, Award Winning Advocate)

Hear From our community + attendees

“Sponsoring the 2020 Succeed Without Sight Summit provided Asset Based Consulting with an opportunity for a global reach. Our participation led to connections, relationships, and partnerships with people from all over the world. We're honored and grateful to have had the opportunity to support the mission and can't wait to be a part of the next one!"

“We did not expect to be tuned in for the entire summit! We listened to every speaker and learned so much and are feeling much better knowing our blind grandsons really will be ok. Thank you!

"Thank you for hosting this awesome summit. It was my first time attending something like this where I can relate to so many of the speakers. I am not a parent of a blind or visually impaired kid but I personally have usher syndrome 2a and am a wife and mom. I am grateful for how far I have come and so happy to be able to experience things like this and be a part of a community of others like me."

"It was beyond amazing, I was tuned in for all 3 days, and every speaker every input was so diverse and so impactful."

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