About
Mission Statement
We provide instruction and resources through certified teachers and volunteers to those affected by vision loss in assistive technology, travel, and daily living skills.
Our story
iSight Connections is a nonprofit organization founded in 2019 initially to provide support groups for individuals with vision loss in the Colorado Springs area but we have expanded our services. Thanks to a generous grant from Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, we now offer FREE in-home and remote vision rehabilitation services to seniors 60 and over, which includes Assistive Technology (AT), Orientation and Mobility (O&M), Daily Living Skills (DLS), and Low Vision Training (LVT) to individuals with vision loss in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas.
iSight Connections’ founder Tim Richard is passionate about helping those with vision impairment learn how to thrive independently and enjoy the quality of life they deserve.
Currently, there are many who do not qualify for vocational rehabilitation services because they are not planning to go back to work. This means that crucial instruction in vision rehabilitation training is unavailable to them – skills like reading, writing, using a computer, cooking, traveling and shopping.
This is why iSight Connections’ team of certified instructors offer free remote and in-home instruction to blind and low vision adults who do not qualify for other services.
iSight Connections continually seeks to partner with foundations and like-minded individuals to create opportunities for the visually impaired to gain independence, confidence, and adjust personally and psychologically to their vision loss.
“Tim has brought me into the electronic world with my phone, tablet, and JAWS. He is really patient and has his own way of teaching beyond what the computer does so that it just sticks better in your head. He is great to work with!”
—Monica, client
Our Team
iSight Connections’ certified instructors provide training and material aid to blind and low vision clients to help them learn to live independently.
Tim Richard
President
iSight Connections founder Tim Richard has worked in the field of blindness and low vision for 25 years. He has served as an instructor at a number of nonprofits, including Braille Institute in Los Angeles, Junior Blind of America, Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
He holds dual master’s degrees in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy and Orientation and Mobility, and is one of a small group of nationwide Certified Assistive Technology Instruction Specialists.
Tim’s passion is to help those with vision impairment learn how to thrive independently and enjoy the quality of life they deserve.
Nancy Barron
Certified Instructor
Nancy joined the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind in 2019 as a teacher of assistive technology. Previously, she taught both adults and children with visual impairment in the Pittsburgh area for more than 25 years. During her time in Pittsburgh, she worked as a rehabilitation teacher, a teacher of the visually impaired, an orientation and mobility specialist, and a low vision therapist.
Nancy has a Master’s of Education in Rehabilitation Teaching and her certifications include: Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments (CATIS), Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment (TVI), Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT), and Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS).
Jared Graham
Volunteer Program Manager
Helping others to navigate the world of visual disability and blindness is one of the many things Jared loves to do. Jared has Retinitis Pigmentosa and two of his four brothers have the same disorder. He loves being active and has worked hard to stay active as his diagnosis worsens.
Jared’s other endeavors include leadership development and working toward his PhD in marriage and family therapy because he has a passion to help marriages with one or more disabled spouses.
“No obstacle, including vision loss, is able to keep me from a full and thriving life, and I believe in teaching others to do the same.”
Jared has been married to his best friend for over 26 years and he is the father of three brilliant and incredible children.
Mary Graham
Executive Assistant
Mary has a colorful medical background driven by her enthusiasm for helping others and working with seniors, especially those experiencing vision loss. She has been married for eight years to Jared Graham, who is legally blind, and is passionate about this experience to find solutions for those affected by vision loss.
She balances her work with iSight Connections with raising and homeschooling her three young children and enjoying the beautiful nature in her backyard of Colorado. A lover of continued learning, she never stops finding opportunities to bring comfort and assistance to the community around her.
Ann Carlisle
Trainer
Ann is a veteran of nonprofit management, retiring as CEO of the Pikes Peak Chapter of the American Red Cross now American Red Cross of Southeast Colorado. She works coaching nonprofits with a proven track record in project management, financial development, team building, and new program rollout. Helping to support clients as they build their strategic directions for the future. Ann develops and conducts training for staff, Board Members, and clients. Ann believes in investing in her community and working to improve the quality of life for others makes life sweeter.
Her work includes iSight Connections, Space Foundation, Song of the Mountain Threshold Choir, Colorado Department of Human Services, El Paso County Department of Human Services, Office of Child and Family Services in New York State, Rutgers University, American Humane Association, Healing Light, Humble Hearts, Colorado Springs Conservatory.
Evan MacDonald
Assistive Technology Instructor
Evan started his career in the field of low vision and blindness at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind in 2018 as a teacher of the blind and visually impaired. Previously, he attended George Mason University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Later on, Evan would find a great passion for teaching and helping others. He applied and graduated from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs with a teaching certification in Social Studies.
From there, he applied and was accepted to Western Michigan University (WMU). He pursued his master’s degree in Teaching Children with Visual Impairments and graduated in May of 2022. While at WMU, he learned about the field of assistive technology. From that point forward, Evan knew that was the path that he wanted to follow. He is currently pursuing a certification in assistive technology. He is certified in both ZoomText and JAWS. He hopes to be one of the few people in Colorado to become a Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist.
Tommi Sue Celli
Assistive Technology Instructor
Tommi Sue was born and raised in Colorado Springs and graduated from The Classical Academy. Tommi Sue has been teaching for thirteen years in various environments. She holds an undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of Colorado, a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction for Elementary Education also from CU, a master’s degree in Special Education emphasized in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, again from CU, and a master’s degree in Visual Impairment from the University of Northern Colorado. She is currently going back to school to earn her Certification in Assistive Technology Instruction Specialist (CATIS) through Northern Illinois University and her Certification in Orientation and Mobility (COMS) from the University of Northern Colorado. It is a passion of Tommi Sue’s to help promote and support independence.
Tommi Sue, her husband and 4-year-old son enjoy being outside, eating good food and sitting on a beach in Mexico. Tommi Sue feels blessed to be working with Tim and the team at iSight Connections as well as the community members.
Our Board
Tim Richard
President
iSight Connections founder Tim Richard has worked in the field of blindness and low vision for 25 years. He has served as an instructor at a number of nonprofits, including Braille Institute in Los Angeles, Junior Blind of America, Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. See full bio above.
Paula Feeback
Vice President
Paula is a retired special education teacher who privately tutors students with dyslexia, developmental disabilities or other learning challenges. She has been visually impaired since age 12 when she was diagnosed with pars planitis.
Paula and her husband live in Delta, Colorado and have two grown children. She enjoys camping, hiking, gardening, traveling, photography and listening to books.
Christopher Humlicek
Secretary
Chris graduated from Drake University with a Bachelors degree in Public Administration, and completed his MBA at the University of Iowa Tippie School of Management. He currently serves in an HR Leadership role at Progressive Insurance and also serves on the leadership team with the Colorado Springs Christian Church. Chris has served in various volunteer positions with other non-profit boards over his career.
Along with his wife and boys, Chris enjoys spending family time camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities in the Colorado area. His favorite quote is: “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”
Chris is honored to be a part of the team and the important work that iSight Connections is doing.
Brian Smith
Board Member
Brian Smith is the proud father of two kids and has lived in Colorado since 1976. He went to Coronado high school and graduated from Pikes Peak Community College with a degree in Business Management. Brian started MagniSight, Inc in 1990 to manufacture and sell desktop video magnifiers nationwide. He continues helping the low vision and blind community with technology and training to this day.
Steve Gold
Board Member
Steve has been working with people with disabilities since 2007, including working with people who are blind and/or have low vision. Steve is interested in continuing to help people to have access, independence, and success.