Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

04/03/2026

Happy Easter and Happy Passover!

Email from Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Happy Easter Eyes on the Center A Video Message from Executive Director Nate Kile   A Message from Casey Duer Program Director Each year,

04/03/2026

Milos studies English at the University of Alaska Anchorage while pursuing singing and songwriting – and does it all without sight.

04/02/2026

Kevin Whitley came to Alaska from Baytown, Texas, in 1972 at the age of 9. His father was drawn to Alaska to work on the transcontinental pipeline. So, the family packed their bags and moved more than 3,000 miles away to start a new life in Alaska. The move was anything but easy. Kevin had to adjust...

03/31/2026

Today is the last day to sign up for your 2026 PFD. When doing so please consider PICK.CLICK.GIVE. to the Center.

03/31/2026

A strong week of partnership across Alaska with our Lions Clubs.

• Thank you to the North Pole Lions for your quarterly support, this directly sustains our work in the Interior

• Thank you to the Spenard Lions for your continued support and for hosting our upcoming board retreat at your clubhouse

• Thank you to the Mountain View Lions, and District Governor Lion Robert, for meeting with us today to explore what’s next

We’re moving forward on several priorities:

• Exterior improvements to strengthen safety and usability of the building

• A fence to create a more private outdoor space for clients, with a longer-term vision of a sensory garden

• Pursuing funding for a passenger van to support seniors and youth accessing programs

Starting this summer, we’ll also host a local Lions Club each month for lunch at the center, an open door to connect more closely with the work.

We may sit quietly in the backroads of Spenard, but inside, lives are shifting.

If you’ve ever thought about getting involved—this is a good time.

Time, partnership, or financial support all move the mission forward.



“Presents are made for the pleasure of who gives them, not the merits of who receives them.”

Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Nate Kile

Executive Director

Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

03/23/2026

A quick round-up from the week.
We want to take a moment to recognize a meaningful gift from TOTE Maritime. Their recent donation will help to strengthen the work happening across our programs and reflects a shared commitment to access, training, and opportunity for Alaskans who are blind or visually impaired. We are grateful for their investment in this community.
I encourage you to take a look back at the posts over the last two weeks covering our youth program. It was an exciting and fun time. Students were out in the community building transition skills, learning to navigate new environments, and spending time with peers. That week, noses were frozen, adventures were part of the seasoning to our spicy dish of Alaska youth challenges, and all boots were well worn. The importance of good outdoor gear got real. These experiences will stay with our brave young saplings. While screens can offer familiarity and comfort to many of us, fresh air and movement stole the week.
A sincere thank you to ConocoPhillips for their continued support. Their generosity helps provide scholarships that allow youth to participate in these programs. Access to training, peer connection, and new experiences plays a direct role in helping young people prepare for what comes next.
If you value this work, we invite you to stay connected and be part of it. Please consider sharing this post, volunteering your time, or becoming a monthly donor.

Executive Director,

Nate Kile

03/20/2026

We are excited to share this post wrapping up our camp memories from Friday, March 13, the final day of our 2026 Spring Youth Camp at ACBVI.

We started the day with an introduction to the BEP program through DVR. For this activity, we visited the Social Security building, where we gathered at a small coffee stand and received a barista demonstration. Students had the opportunity to try a variety of drinks, including coffee, hot chocolate, and tea, while learning about the BEP program and the opportunities available through DVR. Thank you to Business Enterprise Program Coordinator Olivia Carr, the speakers, and the amazing barista for such an engaging and informative experience.

Next, we went to the Dirty Apron, where students got to make their own lunch — Russian pelmeni dumplings. It was a fun and hands-on activity, and everyone enjoyed working with the dough and shaping the dumplings. The results were delicious, and now we all know how to make them. Thank you to the Dirty Apron team for such an unforgettable experience.

A wonderful and meaningful way to wrap up an incredible week of learning, growth, and shared experiences. We are looking forward to our next camp this summer.

03/19/2026

Thank you, Tote Maritime Alaska, for your generous donation to the Center of $15,000, benefitting our program serves all blind and low vision Alaskans in the state of Alaska, ages 21years through 55 years. The grant will specifically serve those who can't afford and do do not qualify for any funding through the Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or any other traditional means of funding.

03/19/2026

Today we would like to highlight 12 year old, Alex Ausel. Alex and her mother Joey Ausel, came and did a tour with Nate Kyle just before this past Christmas. They spoke with him about the Passion Project she was starting to work on for her 6th grade project at Anchor Lutheran School.

Alex is fully sighted and has never met a blind person until she met Nate (who was helpful and kind at answering her questions). Alex developed an interest in the subject of blindness ever since reading about Helen Keller in 4th grade at age 9.

Alex learned Grade 1 Braille on her own last year as her chosen invention to study (picture attached with her hot glue Braille and the Braille she asked for her birthday in November, and her parents were blessed to find at a thrift store.

Her goal this year was to learn Grade 2 Braille and then design, using AUTOCAD and a 3D printer, ADA compliant signs for her school.

She has decided to make 11 different signs (Classroom, Library, Men’s Bathroom, Women’s Bathroom, Staff Only, Gym, Exit, Sanctuary, Kitchen, Elevator, Office) and print a total of 54 of them for her school by the mid-April project deadline and presentation.

She is nearly complete.

When touring the Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired building, she noticed that the Center neede some signs. She is designing and printing them for us.

Thank you, Alex, for your interest and service to the blind. You certainly deserve an A+ for your Passion Project.

03/19/2026

In today’s post, we would like to share some memories from Thursday, March 12, another exciting day of our 2026 Spring Youth Camp at ACBVI.

We started the day with a visit to the Anchorage airport, where our orientation and mobility instructor Victoria Ackerman led an O&M lesson. Students explored different areas of the airport, starting from the bus stop and moving through check-in, learning about TSA procedures, and then visiting arrivals, baggage claim, and lost item services. They also learned about parking, shuttle buses, and taxi services. It was a very practical and informative experience that helped students better understand how to navigate a busy public space. Thank you to Victoria for showing how independent traveling can be possible for people with vision challenges.

After the trip, we returned to ACBVI for lunch, where we enjoyed tomato soup, grilled cheese, and sandwiches. A special thank you to Tom Class for preparing such a delicious and comforting meal.

In the afternoon, we traveled to Challenge Alaska’s Adaptive Ski & Ride School at the base of Alyeska Resort in Girdwood. The program offers adaptive skiing and snowboarding lessons for individuals with a wide range of needs and provides specialized equipment and individualized instruction. Each student was paired with two instructors, who helped them get fitted with ski boots and helmets before guiding them through skiing on flat areas and slopes. The students truly enjoyed the experience and had a great time on the snow. Thank you to Challenge Alaska for providing such an incredible opportunity and for creating a supportive and empowering environment for our students

We would also like to express our gratitude to our volunteers Jeffrey Ackerman and Sterling Hutington for supporting the ski trip. We truly appreciate your time and energy, and the positive support you brought to the experience.
A truly wonderful and full day as we approached the final day of camp.

03/18/2026

In today’s post, we would like to share some memories from Wednesday, March 11, another engaging day of our 2026 Spring Youth Camp at ACBVI.

We started the day with a visit from Sarah Huntsinger, whose company works with DVR clients to help them find employment. Sarah and her brother Jeff spoke with the students about opportunities in the workforce and shared an important message: people with disabilities can absolutely have successful careers, and using accommodations when needed is completely okay. We are very grateful to Sarah and Jeff for taking the time to speak with our group and share their experience and encouragement.

Next, AK NFB vice-president Kelsy Tallant gave a presentation about the National Federation for the Blind, its mission, and some of the opportunities it offers, including supporting students in being present at IEP meetings and advocating for people with vision challenges. Thank you, Kelsy, for being a great part of our camp adventures!

Later in the day we visited BFit Gym, where we were warmly welcomed by owner Bonnie Murphy. BFit & Well is a fitness center dedicated to helping adults 55+ stay active, strong, and connected. Even though our youth and some of our staff are not within the gym’s typical age group, Bonnie was very kind to invite us in, introduce us to the equipment, and guide us through exercises and active games. Students especially enjoyed trying the boxing bags. Thank you to Bonnie Murphy for such a welcoming and energetic visit.

After the gym we headed to the Dimond Center Mall for lunch at Round Table Pizza, followed by a movie at Regal Dimond Theater. We watched the new movie Hoppers, which we can sincerely recommend to anyone who enjoys a good laugh. During the visit we also learned about audio description headsets and how theaters continue working on distinguishing them from headsets used for people with hearing loss.

Another wonderful day full of learning, movement, and fun experiences together.

03/18/2026

Position Title: Program Support Assistant
Reports To: Program Director
Pay: $19.00 - $21.00
Hours: 30 a week
Position Summary
The Program Support Assistant provides essential operational and administrative support for all programs at the Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired. This front desk facing role ensures smooth day-to-day program operations, manages client communications and documentation, and serves as the first point of contact for clients, families, and community partners. The Program Support Assistant is key to maintaining a welcoming, professional environment while supporting program staff and the Program Director in delivering high-quality services to blind and low-vision Alaskans.
For more detailed information please go to : https://www.alaskabvi.org/employment-opportunities/