I am Amy Brunner Osvold. I am a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist. I have been employed with North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind since October 2007. Prior to that, I worked as a Human Resources/Staff Trainer with REM, ND, a Financial Services Specialist with the State of Washington, and as a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist with Vocational Rehabilitation in Jamestown and Minot. I graduated with a BS in Social Work from Augsburg University in Minneapolis, MN in 2000 and completed the vision coursework at the University of North Dakota in 2002.
Growing up with a progressive vision loss since the age of 5, I always knew that this was the kind of work I wanted to do. I originally began college with the intent of gaining an education degree to work as a TVI, but once I took my first Social Work class, I was hooked! I love the individual, group, and community-based approach that Social Work afforded me. I am a strong proponent of Systems Theory and the Strengths Perspective in Social Work. I believe that in order for an individual with vision loss to be truly successful, they must have supports in all systems – micro, mezzo, and macro. I love that the type of work I do allows me to team with professionals in many different areas including, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Social Work, Education, etc. Every day is something new and different. It is this variety that allows me to maintain a consistent state of inspiration!
My specific areas of interest are: iDevice accessibility, lighting and the effect on vision and visual functioning, and Daily Living Skills. Personally, I married Brian Osvold, a fellow Social Worker in 2010. I am the stepmother of three.