Last week, the LightHouse launched its Jobsite Conversation Series by visiting with Roberto Gonzalez, the Alternate Media Technology Specialist at Berkeley City College.
Roberto studied Computer Sciences at UC Berkeley and has worked as an AT Specialist for nearly two decades at companies such as HumanWare, Alva and Adaptive Technology Services. He is an expert in the field, and we are thankful he found time in his busy schedule to let us visit and hear first-hand of the successes and insights he has gained as a blind professional.
Our blind jobseekers gathered a wealth of knowledge during our visit with Roberto. From implementing self-advocacy during the interview process to accessing adaptive technology in the workplace to enhancing collaborations with one’s sighted colleagues, Roberto’s first hand stories and insights were well received and greatly appreciated. The group also enjoyed Roberto’s sense of humor as he recalled some of the more lighthearted challenges he has encountered as a blind professional.
Our next visit will take place on Wednesday, June 29. We will visit Karla Gilbride, an attorney at Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), a non-profit legal center whose mission is to ensure dignity, equality and opportunity for people with all types of disabilities throughout the United States and worldwide.
In 2007, Karla received her law degree from Georgetown University. Soon thereafter, she moved to Seattle where she obtained a clerkship role for a Federal Judge. In August of 2008, Karla moved to the Bay Area after securing her current position with DRA. Karla will soon be returning to Washington D.C. to work for a law firm that focuses on Civil Rights and Consumer Rights with an emphasis on class action law suits.
We are greatly looking forward to spending time with Karla and learning about the success she has enjoyed as a blind attorney.
Join us! If you are a job seeker and would like to meet and learn from some of the Bay Area’s most successful blind professionals, please contact Rich Russo at 415-694-7352 or rrusso@lighthouse-sf.org.
