“I wanted to work at Beyond Blindness because their mission is one I firmly believe in: Beyond Blindness empowers children with visual impairments and other disabilities to reach their fullest potential,” says Orientation & Mobility Specialist Amanda Abdulhai. “You get a sense of perseverance and teamwork when reading their mission, which is something I can appreciate!”
Amanda is no stranger to perseverance. In the ’70s, her parents left behind their life in Syria to start a family in the U.S. She grew up seeing how hard they worked to not only build a future for the family, but also assimilate to a new world and culture. “As any child of immigrant parents knows, without my parents taking this huge risk, my brother and I would not be where we are today,” she says.
Prior to becoming an O&M specialist, Amanda received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Disorders from Cal State University, Northridge; gained a master’s in Low Vision Therapy while working at the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs; and built skills working with children as a Behavioral Therapist.
Family has shaped the person Amanda is today and remains an important part of her life outside of her work with Beyond Blindness. She loves spending time with her three nieces and gathers with her family every football season to connect and bond over a shared love for the Detroit Lions. At Beyond Blindness, she loves being able to support other families and create a space where students have an opportunity to build their own sense of community with other children.
As an avid traveler who once took a memorable solo trip to Italy, Amanda also understands the incredible value in being able to navigate the world independently. She prioritizes safety in her role as an Orientation & Mobility Specialist, working tirelessly with students so they too can learn to explore their surroundings on their own. Whether it’s scanning left and right before crossing a driveway or navigating six lanes at an intersection, she teaches every student skills that can help them move around safely and independently.
“There are very few organizations like Beyond Blindness that offer such comprehensive services to this unique population in one location,” Amanda says. “Beyond Blindness does so much for the whole family, and I am proud to work on their team.”