Lee Sonnenberg, AER Executive Director
Lee Sonnenberg joined the AER staff in June 2022 as the Executive Director. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations and for the direction of overall activities of the Association. Lee is the parent of an adult child with a visual impairment, and he has been involved in advocacy efforts in Texas for the last 15 years. He currently serves as the Board President for the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Lee obtained his Master of Arts degree from Texas Tech University. He has over 20 years of administrative experience in higher education and municipal government. Lee and his family live in Lubbock, Texas.
Jennifer Brooks, APH Regional Outreach Specialist
Jennifer’s professional career in the field of visual impairments extends over 18 years and includes serving as a TVI, COMS, and CVRT, Adjunct Instructor, and Director of Programs for a non-profit serving all ages. She has had a unique experience in an international role where she developed sustainable programs at schools for the blind and non-profit organizations across the country of Romania. Jennifer is currently the APH Regional Outreach Specialist for the Northcentral Region of the U.S. providing professional development and trainings to providers and organizations across 9 states.
Quincie Mattick, Graduate Student & Guide Dog User
My name is Quincie Mattick. I’m 22 years old and am in my first year of graduate school at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. I am studying to be a social worker. My undergraduate degree at Idaho State University is in health science. Throughout my first 4 years at ISU I lived in the dorms, returning to my parents’ home in Colorado Springs, Colorado for the summer months. One of the summers I worked at the Colorado Instructional Materials Center, which is the state agency for all educational materials for students who are blind or who have low vision. This past summer, I moved into an on-campus apartment at ISU - I was ready to get out of the dorms, gain some more living space, and leave the cafeteria food behind for good! I was so happy to live in Idaho for the summer. I worked at The Independence Center in Pocatello, which is an agency working with adults with disabilities.
I attended public school in North Dakota until the end of my 7th grade year, in a small town right outside of Minot. We then moved to Colorado, and I started my 8th grade year at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind in Colorado Springs. While I lived in North Dakota, I participated in the short-term programming offered by the North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind and really enjoyed it. I started attending programming when I was in 2nd grade. At first I struggled with leaving my family and dog for a whole week at a time. I was only 7 years old! But my parents believed I needed the specialized teachers at NDVS/SB and also believed I needed to be with other children who were blind. Deb Johnson promised my mom - who was in tears many times over- that I would grow to look forward to my weeks of programming at NDVS/SB. My mom tells me that by 4th grade, I told her that the School for the Blind was where my true friends were and that I was always waiting out the weeks until it was my turn to go back to Grand Forks!
I was born blind except for some light perception, so learned braille from a young age. I used a cane until I was 17, when I got my first guide dog from The Seeing Eye in New Jersey. It took me a while to learn the O&M skills required to be successful with a dog. When we moved to Colorado, I made it a goal to gain those skills so that I would be accepted to a guide dog school. With some amazing Orientation and Mobility teachers dedicated to helping me reach my guide dog goal - I did it! I’m in my 6th year of having Tessa and I have had nothing but a positive experience with a guide dog!
I was a member of the paralympic team for USA Judo for a few years while in high school in Colorado. I traveled to several different countries with them, and really got to experience the world because of it. I really enjoyed traveling to different countries, and it also helped me gain confidence as a traveler. Currently, some of my hobbies include judo, goalball, listening to audio books, listening to music, baking, spending time with friends at college through Chi Alpha, a campus ministry group and connecting with various blindness groups online. I participate in a lot of different activities on my college campus when I am not in classes. Life is busy!!!
Margo Lentz, NDVS/SB COMS
Margo Lentz is a certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist working at NDVS/SB providing mobility training across the entire state of North Dakota. She attended UND where she received her master’s in special education and credentials for TVI. She also attended Hunter College in New York to obtain Master level credentials to become a COMS.
Margo has provided services to people with visual impairments for the past 23 years. She spent 3 years at a Special Education unit in Mayville as a TVI and a classroom special ed teacher, 10 years as a vision specialist for the older blind program serving 11 counties, and 5 years as an O&M Specialist for NDVS/SB.
Margo spent 10 years in the United States Air Force working for Military Intelligence and the JAG (Judge Advocate General). She has 2 daughters and 7 grandchildren who keep her very busy and bring her great joy. She enjoys yoga, pottery, traveling, hiking and weekends at the lake.
Damian Schlinger, Director of Vocational Rehabilitation, ND
Damian is an accomplished professional with a passion for strategic leadership, operational excellence, and community engagement. With a diverse background in public administration and healthcare management, Damian has a proven track record of driving organizational growth, implementing innovative solutions, and consistently achieved outstanding results. Currently serving as the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) at the State of North Dakota's Department of Health and Human Services, he leads the division in executing the VR mission and ensuring compliance with regulations. Damian enjoys leadership, strategic planning, and maximizing organizational performance.
Aimee Volk, Vision and Independent Living Services Administrator, ND Voc Rehab
Aimee has a true desire for helping individuals regain and maintain their independence. Aimee began her career in Occupational Therapy in 2010 working in various settings of the hospital including ICU, rehabilitation, and acute care. Aimee soon realized her passion was with vision. In 2017, Aimee began a new journey as the Vision and Independent Living Services Administrator for the North Dakota Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Aimee’s educational background includes a Bachelor’s of University Studies, a master’s degree in occupational therapy (2009) from the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND, and a Graduate Certificate in Low Vision (2020) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 2023 she completed the Certified Brain Injury Specialist certification. Aimee currently resides in Bismarck, ND, with her husband Troy, daughters Paighton and Mallana, and 3 dogs.
Rod Kossick
Rod Kossick is originally from Moorhead, MN. Now retired, his many years of military service and his work at various Blind Rehabilitation agencies took him all over the world. He has won many awards over the years but is most proud of receiving the Larry Blaha Award and the Shotwell Award from AERPBVI.
Cindy Roles, O.D., Dakota Eye Institute
Dr. Roles is a graduate of the University of North Dakota College of Business and the Ohio State University College of Optometry. She completed an ocular disease and low vision residency at the Louis Stokes Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Cleveland Ohio. She worked in ophthalmology and refractive surgery with the US Air Force at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. Since returning to North Dakota, she practiced for 10 years with Trinity Regional Eye care in Williston, ND, where she began a program to provide vision therapy and limited low vision care. After relocating in 2021, she incorporated a full scope low vision service into her practice at Dakota Eye Institute in Bismarck, ND. She currently works with a variety of low vision patients with many different needs.
Chuck Huss, COMS & Bioptic Driving Consultant
Chuck Huss received his Master of Arts degree in Orientation and Mobility from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, in 1976. He has worked as an Academy-certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) in both the private and public sectors of Ohio and West Virginia for the past 47 years, serving clients or students, pre-school through geriatrics. Mr. Huss is also nationally known for his work and experience in formalized bioptic driver training and assessment. He has been crossed trained and served as one of the driver rehabilitation specialists within the
West Virginia Pilot Low Vision Driving Study (’85-’88), its continuum of related services (’89-’08), and the current West Virginia Bioptic Driving Program (’09-’22).
Prior to his retirement in January 2022, his full-time employer for the past 39 years has been the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS). He will be speaking on Bioptic Driving.
Ken Dockter, COMS & DLS Instructor at NDVS/SB
Ken Dockter has been the daily living skills instructor at ND Vision Services/School for the Blind for 27 years. He received his undergraduate degree from University of North Dakota in Elementary Education with a certification in Teacher of the Visual impairment. Ken has his Masters in Blind Rehabilitation Teaching from Northern Illinois University. Ken also has a Certification in Orientation and Mobility from the University of Northern Colorado.
Ken is the coordinator of the adult program at NDVS/SB. He works with all ages in his capacity at the school. Ken enjoys working with all ages, teaching them new strategies and techniques to make daily living skills tasks easier for them. He enjoys working with kids, helping them learn concepts and find strategies to complete daily livings skills tasks and working with adults, increasing their confidence after losing vision to complete old and new tasks.
Melody Brown, Lead Outreach Provider for Blind/Visually Impaired at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind
Melody Brown serves as Outreach Provider for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She has a Master of Science in Visual Disabilities with two specializations from Florida State University: Orientation & Mobility and Rehabilitation Teaching. She also has Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and Psychometrist certifications from the University of Alabama Birmingham and Jackson State University (Mississippi), respectively. Prior to becoming an outreach provider, Melody served as a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist at the Helen Keller School for 15 years. During this time, she also worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in their Vision Science program. Melody has also served as a state, national, and international board member of several professional organizations concerning sensory impairments.
Banquet Speaker - Elias Youngblom, Head Marching Percussion Instructor at NDSU
Elias works as the head marching percussion instructor at NDSU where he received his degree in music education in 2018. In his free time, he enjoys woodworking, writing music, and singing in a local men’s chorus. He lives with his wife, Kaity, as well as their 2 cats, Juneau and Kimchi, and their tortoise, Henrietta. He has been blind since 2015 when he lost his eyesight in a car accident with a drunk driver.
Nicola McDowell, Senior lecturer, Institute of Education, Massey University, NZ
Nicola is the founder and creator of the Austin Assessment, and a Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Education, Massey University. Her research interests include understanding and supporting children and young people who have cerebral visual impairment, empowerment of children and their parents/caregivers and equity in education. Nicola also shares her experience of CVI through blogs and presentations with a focus on improving outcomes for others with the condition.
Brandi Trom-Anderson, TVI and COMS for Bismarck Public Schools
I was born in Bismarck ND. After graduation, I attended the University of Mary for my undergrad degree in elementary and special education. I received my master's degree from UND in special education/visual impairment in 2003.
In 1998, I was hired as a TVI-in-training under a DPI traineeship grant. At that time, I joined a team of three other TVIs.
In 2018, I completed my O&M coursework through the University of Northern Colorado and became a COMS.
Currently I am the only TVI/COMS for Bismarck Public Schools covering 18 grade schools, 3 middle schools, 3 senior high schools, and an early childhood education program.
Taya Patzman, Owner/Optometrist, Bismarck Eyecare and Jamestown Eyecare
Dr. Patzman is a native of Bismarck and graduated from Pacific University College of Optometry in 2002. I own two private practices in Bismarck and Jamestown. Bismarck Eyecare, in addition to general optometry, provides services to patients of all ages in vision therapy and is a referral clinic for adults and children with strabismus, amblyopia, developmental visual delays, and visual perceptual disorders.
Danielle Hillebrand, Outreach Coordinator & COMS at NDVS/SB
Danielle Hillebrand is the Region 4 Outreach Coordinator, Teacher for Students with Visual Impairments and Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist, with North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind.
Danielle received her undergrad at MSUM in Early Childhood Special Education, Mild/Moderate Special Needs, Moderate/Severe Special Needs. After working for 5 years with students with Significant Support Needs she pursued a master’s degree in visual impairments and O&M endorsement from the University of Northern Colorado.
Danielle has worked in the public-school systems in Colorado, Minnesota, and North Dakota for over 20 years. This is her second year with North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind.
When she’s not at work you will most likely find her outdoors! She enjoys camping, hiking, riding horse, and watching her kids at their events. She and husband Chris have 2 children, Aspen and Ryker. They also have a horse boarding facility at their home outside of West Fargo.
Amy Scepaniak, South Dakota DeafBlind Project Coordinator
Amy J Scepaniak, M.S., TSVI, COMS®, CLVT® is currently employed by the University of South Dakota, Sanford School of Medicine, Center for Disabilities as the DeafBlind Project Director. Amy started her career as a HS Special Education Teacher, and then spent 27 years at the SD School for the Blind and Visually Impaired working as an Outreach Vision Consultant, Low Vision Specialist (CLVT®) and Orientation and Mobility Instructor (COMS®). Amy graduated from Northern State University with a degree in Special Education and Teacher of the Visually Impaired. She attended the University of Northern Colorado and received a Certification in Orientation and Mobility in 2000. She received her master’s degree in Low Vision Rehabilitation from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (Salus University) in 2004. Most recently she became endorsed in Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI) in 2019. Amy is an Adjunct Instructor for Northern State University SPED Visual Impairment Master’s Program.
Jonathan Pringle, Regional Representative for the Rocky Mountain Region, Helen Keller National Center
Jonathan Pringle joined the HKNC team in 2019. He is the Regional Representative for the Rocky Mountain Region.
Jonathan has more than 20 years of experience working with individuals with combined vision and hearing loss, or who are DeafBlind. He worked with Vocational Rehabilitation as a counselor, a supervisor, as well as a statewide coordinator of services. He is knowledgeable in all phases of including school-to-work transition services, Career Exploration, Job Development and Placement, Customized and Supported Employment, as well as Independent Living planning for Seniors.
As a long-time Arizona resident, Jonathan enjoys the outdoors and family activities. He is a resource for you and your family members for referral, support and all the services that HKNC has to offer.
Christy Hulscher, Adapted PE Instructor at SDSBVI
Christy Hulscher is a wife of 22 years to Guy and mother of four active daughters: Ruth (19), Eilene (17), Amelia (14) and Dorothy (11). She enjoys being out and about for her favorite summer activities, from gardening to paddle boarding as well as spectating to coaching her favorite activities. Christy has coached various sports from elementary to the varsity level in traditional sports settings. She was recently awarded the Goalball coach position at SDSBVI which now allows her to be a year-round coach for SDSBVI including, Track and Field for the Blind and Swimming for the Blind. Christy has been fortunate to mentor/coach SDSBVI student-athletes and accompany them to NCASB athletic competitions from Wisconsin to Tennessee, Indiana, and Ohio!
Additional Panelists:
Angelita Martinez
Angelita is the mother of two young adults who were only 5 and 9 when she lost her vision. She was born and raised in Texas, and, after losing her vision, connected with disability and rehabilitation services for training. After she lost her vision at the age of 30, she decided to go back to college and finish her associate’s degree, which she received in 2015. After her youngest child graduated high school in May 2022, she moved to Grand Forks to go back to school at UND, where she is studying political science with hopes to apply to law school next year.
Lori Mattick
Lori lives in Colorado Springs but has roots in North Dakota and Saskatchewan. She is mom to Quincie, who you met earlier, and Paige. Quincie is in her master's program at Idaho State University, while Paige is in her third year of college in Kansas. She is extremely proud of both girls!
Quincie was born without any vision due to a genetic eye condition, Lebers Congenital Amaurosis (LCA). The entire family has been on a wild ride of learning about blindness! While Quincie is currently independent and living her own life, Lori is sure the family will continue to learn about the blind world.
Before having Quincie, Lori was a regular elementary teacher. But, of course, she became very interested in how children who are blind are educated. She completed her Master's of Special Education for Students who are Blind and Visually Impaired. Prior to moving to Colorado, she worked for NDVS/SB in their Outreach department serving students and families in the western part of North Dakota. In Colorado, she worked for 5 years at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind in their transition program with students 18-21 years old. She is currently in her fifth school year as a TVI in a public school district. She has a wide range of students on her caseload, including two young braille readers and students with additional disabilities.
Quincie attended public school in North Dakota until 8th grade, accessing NDVS/SB services. She attended the Colorado School for the Blind as a day student, while accessing the residential program for a few weeks in her senior year to prepare for college life. She is rocking college, graduating this past May with her Bachelor's degree.
And Lori has the best granddog ever - Tessa, Quincie’s amazing guide dog!