World Access for the Blind has worked with over 1000 students in 15 countries worldwide. Here are just a few of our amazing students.

David Tseng
David Tseng started working with Daniel shortly after he lost his sight at the age of 11 due to a rare genetic disease called FEVR. Daniel worked with him for many years and helped him acquire the FlashSonar and mobility skills that he would need to achieve his goals. David credits Daniel’s instruction and guidance as helping him transition from a boy who was angry about losing his sight to a young man who was capable and determined to succeed. According to David, “Having a mobility coach who was blind himself and so successful and independent was a huge inspiration to me.” David went on to graduate from UC-Berkeley (2006) with a double major in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science and to work for both Microsoft and Apple. He currently lives on his own in Santa Monica, CA and has a rewarding career as a software engineer with Google, making their products more accessible to the blind. Most recently, he was accepted into the prestigous Ph.d program in Computer Science at the University of Washington. In his spare time, David enjoys mountain biking, hiking, playing the guitar, and volunteering his time to mentor youth with disabilities.

David recently hiked Twin Falls in Snoqualmie, WA.

Jake Olson
Jake is a 12-year-old boy who lives in the Los Angeles area. He is unique in that World Access for the Blind started working with him prior to him losing his sight due to retinoblastoma. We worked with him on long-cane, FlashSonar, and mobility training beforehand, so that he would be well-equipped to lead a fulfilling life without sight. He has continued to go to the same school and play the sports he loves: football and golf. Jake travels the country to speak on behalf of cancer organizations and has gained national attention from being featured on ESPN. Click here to see the video.

Jake works with our Mobility Coach, Brian Bushway, on FlashSonar and long-cane training.

Sebastian Mancipe
Sebstian is a 16-year-old who lives in Burbank, CA and has been blind since infancy. We have been working with him for two years. He came to us as a boy who was very reliant on others to guide him and unable to orient himself in new surroundings. We worked with him on FlashSonar training and mobility training, as well as recreational training. He told our mobility coaches that he wanted to ride the popular scooters like his friends. Not only did he learn to ride a scooter, he is riding his bike and playing soccer, too! Sebastian is featured along with World Access for the Blind in the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry's display "Seeing With Sound." Click here to see the video.

Sebastian hones his soccer skills during our Soccer Clinic for Blind Youth.