{"id":8502,"date":"2024-12-03T06:51:22","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T12:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8502"},"modified":"2024-12-03T11:41:11","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T17:41:11","slug":"education-without-limits-leslie-dickson-on-navigating-school-college-and-a-career-at-the-va-empowering-veterans-to-thrive-beyond-vision-loss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8502","title":{"rendered":"Education Without Limits: Leslie Dickson on Navigating School, College, and a Career at the VA, Empowering Veterans to Thrive Beyond Vision Loss"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_8255\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-8502-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/LeslieDickson.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/LeslieDickson.mp3\">https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/LeslieDickson.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Podcast Summary:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this episode of&nbsp;<em>Blind Abilities<\/em>, Jeff Thompson interviews Leslie Dickson, a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist at the VA, who shares her inspiring journey of resilience and success as a blind individual. Born with coloboma, Leslie reveals how her parents\u2019 steadfast encouragement instilled a can-do attitude that carried her through every stage of her educational journey. From navigating high school with large-print textbooks and assistive tools to becoming the first visually impaired student in her college design program, Leslie reflects on the transformative role educators and mentors played in her achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After earning a master\u2019s degree in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Leslie now dedicates her career to empowering veterans through hands-on skills like woodworking, ceramics, and leatherworking. She shares her approach to building confidence and independence, teaching that vision loss is not a limitation but an opportunity for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Join Leslie as she recounts her journey and inspires the next generation of blind and low-vision students to pursue their goals with determination and creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?page_id=8499\">Full Transcript:<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To find out more about the services provided at State Services for the Blind, and what they can do for you, contact Shane DeSantis at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:shane.desantis@state.mn.us\">shane.desantis@state.mn.us<\/a>\u00a0or call Shane at\u00a0651-385-5205.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Contact:<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">you can follow us on Twitter&nbsp;@<a href=\"http:\/\/www.twitter.com\/blindabilities\">Blind Abilities<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the web at&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.blindabilities.com\/\">www.blindabilities.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Send us an&nbsp;email at&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:info@blindabilities.com\">info@blindabilities.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Get the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/app\/blind-abilities\/id1085849859?l=es&amp;mt=8\">Free Blind Abilities App&nbsp;on the App Store<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.blindabilities.android.blind&amp;hl=en_US\">Google Play Store<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Give us a call and leave us some feedback at 612-367-6093. We would love to hear from you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Check out the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/607027582712671\/\">Blind Abilities Community<\/a>&nbsp;on Facebook, the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/BlindAbilities\/\">Blind Abilities Page<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/jobinsightsgroup\">Career Resources for the Blind and Visually Impaired group.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<!--powerpress_player--><div class=\"powerpress_player\" id=\"powerpress_player_8257\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-8502-3\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/LeslieDickson.mp3?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/LeslieDickson.mp3\">https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/LeslieDickson.mp3<\/a><\/audio><\/div><p>https:\/\/traffic.libsyn.com\/secure\/blindabilities\/LeslieDickson.mp3 Podcast Summary: In this episode of&nbsp;Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson interviews Leslie Dickson, a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist at the VA, who shares her inspiring journey of resilience and success as a blind individual. Born with coloboma, Leslie reveals how her parents\u2019 steadfast encouragement instilled a can-do attitude that carried her through every stage of her [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[17,373,263],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bapresents","category-career","category-college"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6rcRg-2d8","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9563,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9563","url_meta":{"origin":8502,"position":0},"title":"From Passion to Purpose: Building a Career at State Services for the Blind","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"June 28, 2026","format":"audio","excerpt":"In this episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson welcomes Sarina Boley, a Vocational Rehabilitation Technician at State Services for the Blind, to share her journey into the world of Vocational Rehabilitation and Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Sarina explains how VR Technicians support counselors behind the scenes while helping students prepare\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0035.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0035.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0035.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0035.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9568,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=9568","url_meta":{"origin":8502,"position":1},"title":"Helping People Reach Their Goals: Lindsay Escalera\u2019s Journey in Vocational Rehabilitation","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"June 29, 2026","format":"audio","excerpt":"Podcast Summary: This episode offers an inside look at the rewarding role of a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at State Services for the Blind of Minnesota through the journey of Lindsay Escalera. From an undecided college student to a passionate rehabilitation professional, Lindsay shares how hands-on experiences, mentorship, and a desire\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0035.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0035.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0035.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/IMG_0035.png?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8548,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8548","url_meta":{"origin":8502,"position":2},"title":"Tech Abilities: O&amp;M, Gadgets, and the Positivity Equation (Math Alert!)","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"January 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: Hold onto your canes, because the Tech Abilities crew is back! Jeff and Serina round up Leslie Dickson, Cheryl Macintosh, and Katy Todd for\u00a0the first\u00a0New Year\u00a0\u00a0episode spanning the\u00a0rains\u00a0of Washington to the\u00a0heights\u00a0of\u00a0Colorado. Cheryl\u2019s ditching the guide dog for some hardcore O&M cane skills, while Katy\u2019s testing out a\u00a0hoverboard for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"The TechAbilities Logo-Dark Sunglasses with TA and BA bold letters in each lens.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TechAbilitiesLogo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TechAbilitiesLogo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TechAbilitiesLogo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TechAbilitiesLogo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TechAbilitiesLogo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/TechAbilitiesLogo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6442,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=6442","url_meta":{"origin":8502,"position":3},"title":"Build Confidence, Explore Career Possibilities, and Expand Horizons of Opportunity \u2013 Meet Pre-Employment Transition Services Counselor Travis Mashuga","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"January 5, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Full Transcript Show Summary: Travis Mashuga is a Pre-Employment Transition Services Counselor at State Services for the Blind (SSB) in Minnesota. Travis switched gears in college and decided to work in the Rehabilitation field and is now part of the Transition team at SSB. Travis explains what Transition Services offers\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6592,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=6592","url_meta":{"origin":8502,"position":4},"title":"Transitioning from High School to College: A Panel of College Students Take on the Questions from High School Students from a Blindness and Low Vision Perspective","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"March 22, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Full Transcript Show Summary: Transitioning from High School to College is a major step towards self-determination and independence. Career choices are made and Colleges and Universities are explored to best fit one\u2019s needs. A group of high school students ask a panel of college students questions to help them understand\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8631,"url":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?p=8631","url_meta":{"origin":8502,"position":5},"title":"Student Readiness: Navigating College with Confidence: Tips for Students with Vision Loss","author":"Blind Abilities Team","date":"March 27, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Podcast Summary: In this episode of Blind Abilities, Jeff Thompson speaks with three professionals from State Services for the Blind (SSB)\u2014Kate Larson, Randi Lasher, and Shane DeSantis\u2014who support students with vision loss as they prepare for life after high school. They share helpful tips about applying for college, getting financial\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;BlindAbilities Presents&quot;","block_context":{"text":"BlindAbilities Presents","link":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/?cat=17"},"img":{"alt_text":"BlindAbilities Logo A black square with white initials, B A.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blindabilities.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Blind-Abilities-Logo.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8502","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8502"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8502\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8505,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8502\/revisions\/8505"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8502"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blindabilities.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}