Kacie Weldy works at the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC), assisting deafblind consumers and their families with seeking employment and services. She studied animal science at Purdue University and then earned a Bachelors in Science in Organizational Leadership from Indiana University. Due to Usher's Syndrome, Kacie lives with both a visual and auditory impairment. As a mother of three, as well as a guide dog user, she believes that a deafblind person can do anything with the right accommodations. Living in Indiana, she dedicates herself to furthering the independence and employability of deafblind students in her state.
Hellen Keller National Center for Deafblind Youths and Adults
HKNC provides training and resources to deafblind people age 16 and over. Participants gain on-campus training in assistive technologies, vocational services, orientation and mobility, communication and independent living skills, and a strong community across the US. Part of Kacie’s work includes coaching her students, helping them along the journey of the job search, teaching interview skills, and helping them acclimate to a new job during the first 90 days. For each client, she conducts an individual assessment for accommodations, including technology and educational resources for employers. Kacie also strives to educate clients and their families about services available to them, noting that the needs of the deaf/blind community are unique. She strives to bridge the gap between deaf services and blind services in Indiana.