VR at Work

Hi, my name is Marie Perez 

I am writing this letter to express my gratitude to NC Services for the Blind vocational rehabilitation. When I first came to Steve Alexander with NC Services for the Blind, I was nearly completely blind. Due to diabetes, I lost my vision. After many surgeries and injections, my vision was restored to where I was able to be functional again. I was able to obtain a driver’s license. I also started taking classes at Beaufort community college. I received my associates degree with help from NC Services for the Blind vocational rehabilitation. They supplied me with tools that helped me be successful such as a laptop, iPad, a printer and many other tools. I am currently working at ECU health as a CNA 2. I am now able to support myself financially. I am especially thankful to Steve Alexander for always believing in me and guiding me through this process. 

"A Journey of Hope: Connie C. Atalig's Story

Meet Connie C. Atalig — a woman whose journey shows that new beginnings are possible when hope meets opportunity.

For years, Connie lived with a physical disability that limited her mobility and confidence. “I stayed home most of the time,” she said. “I didn’t think there was much more out there for me.”

Everything changed when she discovered the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). With support from compassionate counselors, Connie accessed work experience training, assistive technology, transportation help, and other essential services.

Step by step, she regained her confidence and independence. In September 2012, Connie was hired full-time as an Administrative Assistant with the Department of Public Works, a position she held with pride for over a decade.

In December 2024, Connie retired happily and now enjoys socializing with peers at the Office on Aging, staying active in her community, and embracing her well-earned retirement.

Connie’s story reminds us that with kindness, opportunity, and courage, lives can change in beautiful ways.

Congratulations, Connie — and thank you for inspiring us all!"

Susan Sanchez graduated a year early from Mangum High School but struggles with

her mental health would lead her to drop out of college.

Years later, encouragement from a DRS counselor would open a door to helping her

build a future.

“I have bipolar (disorder) with depressive symptoms,” Sanchez said. “That is what I had

for a long time. I was diagnosed in high school. I ended up with anxiety.”

She said in her darkest moments after graduating in 1997, Sanchez was

noncommunicative, hearing voices and often having hundreds of nightmares on the

nights when she was able to sleep.

In 2013, Vocal Rehabilitation Specialist Laura Prater reached out to Sanchez to see if

she was ready to return to college. Sanchez had sought DRS’ services while in school

but had become disconnected from the agency as her mental health woes mounted.

Sanchez found needed encouragement and empowerment from Prater.

“All of this support made me feel safe,” she said. “It was the right time for me to be

doing it. My confidence was increased by the support of DRS. It affected my family, and

everybody else because they were like, ‘I am so thankful they (DRS) are helping you

because we wouldn’t be able to.’”

Emeka Nnaka’s life changed forever on an Arkansas football field in 2009. A 6-foot-5 Georgia native, he had come to Tulsa for college but, after struggling in school, joined the Oklahoma Thunder as a defensive end and linebacker. His football career ended abruptly when he broke his neck during a game, leaving him paralyzed. In 2012, a visit to Langston University led to a conversation with a professor who encouraged him to return to the classroom. Nnaka contacted DRS, which helped him enroll that fall at both Tulsa Community College and Langston University, covering his tuition, books, and even providing an iPad to support his studies. Determined to succeed, he earned a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Langston and later a master’s degree in human relations with a focus in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Oklahoma. “I remember telling my counselor, ‘I promise, if you invest in me, I will make it count. Every single day now, I am making it count,” he said. With additional support from DRS, which also helped him regain the ability to drive, Nnaka built a new path forward and today works as a mental health therapist and motivational speaker, inspiring others with his resilience and determination.

From a young age, Marina Rake faced progressive vision loss and often felt like the only one navigating school with low vision. That changed when she joined the Orientation and Career Center at the Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB), where she gained crucial skills, like using a white cane, that gave her independence as she transitioned from high school in Oregon to college in Texas. 

A summer with OCB’s Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) introduced Marina to employment, which eventually led her to a job-coaching role at OHSU. There, she helped clients struggling with social security benefits, an experience that sparked her passion for law and advocacy. Today, Marina is studying law, determined to improve systems for others. Her journey shows what’s possible when people with vision loss have access to the right tools and training.  

OCB’s programs like SWEP rely on federal WOIA Title IV funding, distributed through the US Department of Education. Support your state's vocational rehabilitation to empower leaders like Marina. Visit csavr.org or oregon.gov/blind for more information. 

When Catherine “Katt” Green lost her vision, she thought her creative career might be over. But with support from Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB), she rebuilt her independence and her future. OCB helped Katt master essential mobility and daily living skills, return to college with confidence and learn adaptive technology for photography. Today, she’s not only thriving as a straight-A student at Mt. Hood Community College, but she’s also running her own studio, PDX Blind Photos, where she captures bold, award-winning images. 

Katt’s story is proof that businesses benefit when Oregonians with vision loss are empowered to work. Her studio thrives on her unique perspective, blending artistry with adaptive tools to deliver powerful portraits and photojournalism that stand out in the marketplace. 

OCB relies on federal WOIA Title IV funding, distributed through the US Department of Education. Support your state's vocational rehabilitation to empower entrepreneurs like Katt. Visit csavr.org or oregon.gov/blind for more information. 

Sal Barraza has never let vision loss limit his success. With support from the Oregon Commission for the Blind’s (OCB) Business Enterprise Program (BEP), he has been running popular food businesses in Salem since 1989, building a career defined by resilience, service, and entrepreneurship. BEP empowers Oregonians who are legally blind to own and manage their own businesses, providing both training and opportunity, and through the program Sal has thrived. Today, he manages the Valley Café at the Oregon Department of Human Services Building, serving hundreds of staff and visitors daily, and also operates the Outta Sight Food Cart, a BEP pilot program that trains Oregonians with vision loss in crucial job skills while inspiring future entrepreneurs. His success demonstrates the impact of vocational rehabilitation in action, and by mentoring others and proving what’s possible, Sal is helping OCB expand opportunities across Oregon. From hot coffee to fresh opportunity, he is serving up independence one plate at a time.

For 15 years, Dan Lauver has been a proud Commonwealth employee, but getting to and from work was never simple. Without his own accessible vehicle, he depended on others to give him rides. “They don’t have to load up my wheelchair and put me in their vehicle,” he explained. The process was difficult and limited his independence.

That changed when the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) helped Dan purchase a new van designed with adaptive technology. Before taking it home, Branch Driving School gave him a full evaluation, identified the right modifications, and trained him to drive safely. “They came and gave me an evaluation to see what equipment I needed. And then we went out on the road a little bit and drove to see if it was going to work for me,” Dan recalled.

His van now includes a hand control lever for gas and brakes, reduced-effort steering, a steering knob, and a touchpad for other functions. 

For Dan, it represents more than convenience. “It’s just a whole new independence that I never had before. I can’t thank OVR enough for all the help they’ve given me.”

Edward Torres, 35, lives in Providence with his family. He graduated from Hope High School and went on to attend the day program at Action Based Enterprises. He was initially referred to ORS in 2015 and participated in supported employment services including a vocational evaluation and community-based work assessment. In 2018, he was hired as a parking lot attendant where he worked until 2020 when the pandemic no longer brought traffic to the lot. 

Eddy reapplied to ORS in 2023 and participated in a nine-month Adult Project Search Program at Bally’s Twin River Resort & Casino. ORS provided additional supports through an assisted technology evaluation, purchase of an Apple watch to help him keep track of his time, and benefits counseling.  During this time, he completed three different internships – housekeeping and front desk at the hotel and cashier at the retail store. He excelled at whatever tasks he undertook and quickly became a trusted member of the team. 

When Project Search graduation came around in July 2024, Bally’s knew they did not want to lose a valuable asset. With the help of Access Point vocational staff, Eddy was hired as a bar back in the events center, initially working 23 hours a week. As his experience grew, his hours were also increased. 

Access Point continues to check in on Eddy, even though his case has now been successfully closed with ORS. Recently, Eddy gave a speech at this year’s Project Search celebration to show what determination and hard work can do. 

Magnum came to the Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS) in 2023, where he was determined legally blind and referred to Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired (SBVI). With counselor Karen Russell, he discovered the Randolph Shephard Business Enterprise Program (BEP)—a path he had never known was possible. The idea of running his own café sparked immediate excitement. Magnum worked tirelessly toward his goal, completing food safety certification, vendor training, and nine weeks of hands-on experience with BEP vendors across Rhode Island. Step by step, his confidence grew. Today, Magnum runs the Coffee Plus Café at the Garrahy Court House, proudly serving customers while building his independence. His journey is proof that with determination, opportunity, and support, challenges can be transformed into dreams realized. Magnum’s story reminds us that success is not about what you lose—it’s about what you build when you refuse to give up.