"It means a lot to me to show others the progress I'm making and to celebrate how far I've come." – Jayce In this moment captured at Helen Keller National Center's Sands Point campus, Jayce is baking muffins blindfolded as part of his Independent Living training. While it may look like a simple kitchen task, it's part of something much bigger—learning to trust other senses, adapt with confidence, and build lifelong skills for independence. At HKNC, we offer person-centered training for individuals who are DeafBlind or experiencing combined hearing and vision loss. Whether it's cooking, navigating new environments, learning how to use assistive technology, or managing daily routines, each lesson is designed to empower and prepare participants for success in their communities. Every step forward—like this one in the kitchen—is a celebration of growth, resilience, and self-reliance. Way to go, Jayce! Image Description: A man wearing a blindfold and a black t-shirt stands at a kitchen counter, holding a spoon and filling a muffin tin with batter from a mixing bowl. Text overlay reads: "It means a lot to me to show others the progress I'm making and to celebrate how far I've come." #IndependentLiving #DeafBlind #DeafBlindAwareness #Accessibility #HelenKellerServices #CelebrateProgress (fb)

Helen Keller National Center's leadership team recently visited Capitol Hill, continuing our longstanding tradition of advocacy and relationship-building in Washington, DC. It was a privilege to reconnect with Representative Tom Suozzi, whose ongoing support for Helen Keller National Center and the DeafBlind community has made a meaningful difference in advancing access and opportunity. Our CEO Dr. Susan Ruzenski, Executive Director John Filek, and Associate Executive Director Ryan Odland represented the diverse perspectives and expertise that drive our work nationwide. These conversations with policymakers help ensure that individuals who are DeafBlind have a voice in decisions that impact their ability to live, work, and thrive in their communities. We're grateful for these meaningful conversations with legislators who recognize the importance of expanding opportunities and accessibility for the DeafBlind community and celebrating their achievements and determination. ID: Split image: Left, Group photo with Representative Tom Suozzi, John Filek, Ryan Odland, Sue Ruzenski, and two ASL interpreters standing and sitting together in front of an American flag. Right, Sue Ruzenski, Ryan Odland, and John Filek standing together in front of the US Capitol building. #HelenKellerServices #DeafBlind #DeafBlindness #DeafBLindAwareness #TomSuozzi #USCongress #AccessibilityMatters #Accessibility #DisabilityRights #Advocacy | Rep. Tom Suozzi (fb)