Supporting Transitions for Young Adults with Vision Loss + Book News
August 2026 by Kim Owens of Navigating Blindness
In today’s newsletter, I’m excited to introduce you to a great transition support resource and give you a long overdue update on my book, BLUR.
First, let’s meet Andrea! I had the pleasure of meeting Andrea Rutherford with Vision to Transition during a vocational rehabilitation roundtable call. If you are a student transitioning to college or the workforce, a parent, a teacher or a vocational rehabilitation counselor, Andrea is a great contact to have in your network!
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Empowering Today to Transform Tomorrow: Supporting Meaningful Transitions for Young Adults with Vision Loss
by Andrea Rutherford, M.Ed., TSVI, MSA
Transitions happen throughout our lives. Some are big, some are small. Each transition brings new opportunities and new challenges and is often met with excitement and/or uncertainty. Whether a student is starting high school, preparing for college, exploring employment opportunities, or seeking greater independence, having the right support can make a difference.
For individuals with vision loss, these milestones require intentional planning, individualized support, and the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions.
After more than twenty years working in special education, transition planning, and direct services for students with disabilities, I created Vision to Transition to provide the kind of practical and individualized support I know students, families, educators, and organizations often need, and that the system is not able to provide with the intentionality that is required.
Transition Is More Than Graduation
When people hear “transition,” they often think about what happens after high school. But transition planning should begin much earlier so that students have the opportunity to learn and develop the skills that they need to help meet their transition goals.
It is an ongoing process of helping students understand themselves, explore their interests, develop skills, and learn how to advocate for what they need. For a student with vision loss, this may include assistive technology, developing executive functioning skills, practicing self-advocacy, exploring careers, or preparing for living independently.
There is not one path that works for everyone. Transition, success, and independence have different meanings for students. Transition planning should reflect the individual, not just following a checklist.
Through Vision to Transition, I provide support in areas such as:
Exploring education, employment, and independent living options
Developing executive functioning and self-advocacy skills
Preparing for college, employment, and life after high school
Helping families and professionals better understand the transition process
Supporting collaboration among students, families, schools, and other service providers to help get everyone on the same page
Supporting the People Who Support Others
Students don’t navigate transition on their own. Parents, teachers, vocational rehabilitation professionals, and other members of a student’s support team all play an important role. However, we know that there is only so much time in a school day. We also know that the current national average ratio of students to school guidance counselors is about 372:1, which is much higher than the maximum recommended ratio of 250:1 (American School Counselor Association).
Sometimes families need help understanding what services are available or figuring out what questions to ask. Educators may be looking for practical strategies or resources they can use with their students. Each member of the team can bring a different perspective, which is why it is important to hear the perspectives to help develop a meaningful transition plan to support the student’s goals.
Every Student’s Path Looks Different
One of the things I’ve learned throughout my career is that there is no single definition of success, and every student’s path looks different. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, Vision to Transition provides services that are tailored to each individual’s goals, needs, and circumstances. For one student, the next step may be college. For another, it may be entering the workforce, learning to live more independently while taking a gap year, or exploring an option they hadn’t considered before. The student needs to have an opportunity to understand their choices and have a voice in the decisions that affect their future.
That is why Vision to Transition takes an individualized, intentional approach to transition planning.
Looking Ahead
Transition planning can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are services to understand, questions to ask, skills to develop, decisions to make, and multiple people involved in the process.
It doesn’t have to be figured out all at once. With thoughtful planning and the right support, students can begin building the skills and confidence they need for the next chapter.
If you’re looking for consultation, coaching, professional development, or collaborative support related to transition planning and services for individuals with vision loss, I’d love to connect.
Vision to Transition, LLC
Empower Today. Transform Tomorrow.
Related Resources:
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Book News:
I want to extend my gratitude to everyone reaching out for status updates on my book, BLUR.
When I first learned of Kai’s sight loss, I scoured bookstores and library shelves to find similar stories. I found many books written by blind adults and teachers of the visually impaired, but I didn’t find a single story told from a parent’s perspective. So, when Kai went off to university, I decided to write our story!
Unfortunately, I recently navigated a major setback when my literary agent left her agency. In the wake of that news, I needed a moment to regroup and reconsider my goals. I wondered, should I self-publish and sell my book on Amazon? Or should I seek new representation in hopes that one day my book will live on library shelves and “everywhere books are sold”?
Today, I’m happy to announce that I’ve secured a new literary agent!
Thank YOU for your interest and your help. Every subscription, like, share and comment prove there’s an audience for our story — and yours!
Let’s continue to Navigate Blindness, together.
Kim
(PS. If you previously subscribed to our “book updates” mailing list, this is our new hosting platform and regular updates will live here.)