Spectrios Institute for Low Vision

10/15/2025

Recently, our Children’s Programs Coordinator connected with a Troop 385 (Tinley Park) Scout through our Seeing Is Believing Program who was looking for a meaningful service project. That’s how we met Nicholas.

At just 12 years old, Nicholas lost vision in his right eye due to a genetic condition. He underwent multiple surgeries, each one hopeful, but ultimately unsuccessful.

“It forced me to grow up faster, to become more determined, and to work even harder to succeed in everything I do,” he shared.

Those challenges shaped Nicholas’ outlook and inspired him to give back to others facing similar obstacles. When he learned about Spectrios, he immediately knew he wanted to be part of our mission.

“Working with Spectrios felt like the perfect way to connect my own experiences with a service project that could make a lasting impact,” he said. “It gave my Eagle Scout journey a much deeper, more personal meaning.”

Nicholas planned, designed, raised funds for, and built beautiful benches and a picnic table for our community garden, and they’ve already made a big difference!

💛 Teens with low vision now have a dedicated area that encourages social interaction and lets them enjoy fresh air and natural light during our Grandma Martyl Summer Camp.

💛 Patients and their loved ones can now gather in this peaceful community space to rest, reflect, and share stories before or after appointments.

💛 Team members are using the space to take breaks and eat lunch outdoors... returning to their work refreshed, re-energized, and ready to serve our patients with renewed focus.

We’re so grateful to Nicholas for his hard work and heart. His project reflects the spirit of resilience and generosity that defines our Spectrios community.

He had this advice for other Scouts:

“Choose a project that means something to you personally. When you're truly connected to your cause, you'll push through the hard parts with more determination. Don’t be afraid of setbacks. I’ve faced plenty, especially with my vision, but I’ve learned that perseverance is what truly defines success.”

👏🦅💝

10/09/2025

How to Thrive with Vision Impairment - Newest Trends and Tech

Dr. Williams is pleased to be a panelist at Healthy Living With A Vision's life-changing forum for individuals with vision impairment. This event brings together experts to share insights on navigating life with vision loss.

Hope you can join us and find resources and support. Registration is required.

10/08/2025

Full circle moments like this remind us why we do what we do 💛

Our Seeing is Believing (SIB) program brings free low vision clinics to K–12 schools across Illinois. When our team visited Annelise’s school, she proudly wore her Spectrios jersey from “Grandma Martyl” Low Vision Summer Camp and spotted the same art bags she helped assemble at camp now being shared with other students.

Each bag carries on Grandma Martyl’s legacy of creativity and kindness, bringing comfort and joy to our young clinic participants.

So great seeing you again, Annelise! 👋✨

10/03/2025

👀 Okay, Target, we see you!

Have you heard that Target is rolling out accessible self-checkout stations across the country?

It will be possible thanks to features like:

✔️ Braille and high-contrast button icons
✔️ Headphone jack with adjustable volume
✔️ Physical navigation buttons and info key
✔️ A custom tactile controller

Guests will hear every screen and payment prompt through one seamless audio stream.

We support anything that helps people with vision loss live fuller, more independent lives, and we are cheering Target on for leading the way. 🙌

📸: Photo courtesy of
👇: Full article

10/01/2025

👩‍🍳 Cooking safely is possible with vision loss!

Join Spectrios Institute for Low Vision's virtual support group this Friday, Oct. 3 at 10:30 am CT with guest speaker Debra Erickson, Executive Chef and Founder of The Blind Kitchen.

Debra will share practical tips, tools, and techniques to help you cook safely and independently, even with vision loss.

📅 Friday, October 3
🕥 10:30 am CT
📍 On Zoom
👩‍🍳 Topic: Cooking Safely in Spite of Vision Loss

Come to learn, stay confident in the kitchen, and to connect with others who understand the journey!

📸: The Blind Kitchen

09/24/2025

👀 We’re looking to add a compassionate Optometrist to our team.

Join us at our Wheaton, IL clinic and help people with vision loss gain independence!

Part-time (2–3 days/week) — you choose the days, Mon–Fri, 8:30–5:00. No weekends!

Why you’ll love it here:

✔ Make a real difference in patients’ daily lives
✔ Be part of a nationally recognized low vision nonprofit
✔ Professional growth + workplace autonomy
✔ Cutting-edge technology
✔ Collaborative, caring team

📩 Reach out today to learn more and apply!

09/24/2025

From guide dogs to the newest assistive tech, this Expo has it all!

Join Spectrios Institute for Low Vision at the Blind Service Chicago Vision Expo 2025.

Discover the latest products, services, adaptive technologies, and resources designed to empower the blind and low-vision community!

We’re excited to be part of this event, sharing the tools and support that empowers independence and creates connection. We hope to see you there.

📅 Tuesday, October 28 | 9 AM – 3 PM

📍 City Hall Events, 838 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL

👉 Space is limited—RSVP today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vision-expo-2025-tickets-1661079586759?aff=oddtdtcreator

✅ Free admission!

Get ready for Vision Expo 2025!

09/17/2025

Our 2025–26 school year is off to a bright start!! First stop: Southside Occupational Academy High School.

Limited vision should never limit learning 💛

And thanks to your support, students are getting free eye exams and vision tools through our "Seeing is Believing" program.

09/16/2025

A simple shift in how you look can change what you see.

It’s called eccentric viewing, and it's a proven technique we teach to help people with macular degeneration or other central vision loss recognize faces, read, and enjoy daily life more independently.

One of our patients shared: “I couldn’t see my grandson’s face. He just looked like a gray blob. Learning this skill gave me a way to see him again.”

If you or someone you love is living with central vision loss, this could be life-changing!!

👉 Learn more in our latest blog & watch Dr. Park’s video on YouTube (link in comments).

🫶 Tag someone who should know about this!

09/11/2025

A beautiful day on the greens with generous friends by our side!

Thanks to the Wheaton Lions and Elburn Lions for supporting Spectrios through their “Six Pillars of Services” initiatives. Your impact is seen and felt in every smile 💛

09/02/2025

Born at only 2.5 lbs and diagnosed with ROP, an eye disease that can happen in premature babies, Chris has lived her entire life with vision loss.

That never slowed her down. She built a 20+ year career as a System Integration Analyst, volunteered with Spectrios in our early days, and even received our Clarence E. Troyer Volunteer of the Year Award.

On this day, we celebrate Chris. She serves as our Access Technology Coordinator, helping patients discover the tools and technologies that support their personal goals. Patients often share how much they value her lived experience and deep knowledge, making her a trusted guide on their vision rehabilitation journey.

Let's celebrate her in the comments for all she does! 💛