Our Vision
All blind children in Texas will have a quality life, rich with opportunities that will maximize their potential.
Our Mission
To be a resource for the optimal physical, mental, emotional, and social development of children and youth in Texas, who are blind or have visual impairments.
Who We Are
All Blind Children of Texas was created in the spring of 2004 to assist with the provision of experiences and support to promote the personal and educational growth of students with vision loss. The Board of Trustees of the 501(c)3 organization is comprised of experts in the field of special education, including several who are blind themselves or parents of visually impaired children.
The Board works with the network of Teachers of Visually Impaired students, Orientation and Mobility instructors, Education Service Center specialists, and the administrative staff of Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, to address needs within this student population, which includes approximately 11,000 children and youth throughout the state.
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Our Board of Directors
Paula Margeson
As a totally blind woman and the mother and grandmother of women, who are blind,and a disability activist, Paula works to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. She is experienced as a service provider, grant writer, and executive director. Paula has a bachelor's degree from California State University, Fullerton. She has participated in documentaries and instructional videos and was interviewed for the“Texas Disability History Collection” compiled by the University of Texas, Arlington. Throughout her career, she has been a gubernatorial appointee on several state councils and in 2014, Paula was added to the “Wall of Honor” at Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center. While she has served on numerous boards of directors and even received the “2019 Community Board Member of the Year” award from Retirement Housing Foundation, Paula views her membership on the ABCTX governing board as one of her most important and rewarding volunteer efforts.
Mary Sue Welch
Mary Sue Welch has served on the Board of Directors for All Blind Children of Texas(ABCTX) since its beginning. She is a graduate of the Texas School for the Blind. Mary Sue notes that her 12 years at the school were very beneficial to her 30-year working career in federal service. Learning Braille and having a true passion for the marvelous tool it is has allowed her to perform many work tasks independently. Mary Sue served 14 years on the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired Board of Trustees as secretary, vice-president, and president. She was also president of the ABCTX Board of Directors from 2004 to 2022. Being a part of an organization providing services to enrich the lives of children with vision loss is her passion and her privilege.
Billy Brookshire
Billy Brookshire is a consultant and public speaker with over 45 years experience in rehabilitation and training. He has presented workshops throughout the US and Canada. He has served as President of TAER, AER International, and as Chair of the Governing Committee of the Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field. In addition, he conducts tours of Austin, narrates for the Talking Book Program and serves on the boards of ABCTX and the Austin Tour Guide Association. He is also the award winning author of Loving Me: A Guide to Creating and Presenting Workshops on Self-Esteem.
Nancy Hefner
As a youngster, Nancy attended both the Texas School for the Blind and local public school. She earned a bachelor’s degree, as well as certifications in Special Education and Teacher of the Visually Impaired from The University of Texas at Austin. For 22 years, she instructed middle and high school students on a variety of subject areas, including braille, assistive technology and social studies courses at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI). She co-authored a self determination curriculum, published by the TSBVI Curriculum Department. Now retired, Nancy loves spending time with her grandchildren, serving on her church’s Missions Committee and the ABCTX Board. She is passionate about working with ABCTX because it gives her the chance to help provide educational opportunities that are vital to students with visual impairments.
Lee Sonnenberg
Lee Sonnenberg is the Executive Director for the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER). Lee is the parent of an adult child with a visual impairment and has been involved in advocacy efforts in Texas for the last 15 years. He currently serves as the President of the Board of Trustees for the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Lee lives in Lubbock,Texas.
Beth Pierce
Beth Pierce is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, retired in 2021. She began her career as a rehabilitation teacherat Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center where she taught daily living skills. In 1987 she completed a master’s program in social work and worked for twelve years at Austin Child Guidance Center where she provided individual, family and group therapy services to children and their families. In 2001 she returned to the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services-Division for Blind Services where she served as an administrative specialist for the Blind Children’s Program. From 2010 to 2012, she served as the Field Specialist Manager, providing support for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Transition Counselors, Independent Living Workers, and Blind Children’s Specialists. After retiring from the state in 2012, she provided individual therapy to clients referred to her by the Austin Regional Office of the Division for Blind Services.
Cynthia Carter
Cynthia Carter received her M.Ed. in Special Education in Visual Impairment and Orientation & Mobility from Steven F. Austin State University. During the past 17 years, Cynthia has worked as a TVI serving students and families in Duncanville ISD, Irving ISD, Lancaster ISD and Terrell ISD. She also had the privilege of serving as a VI Consultant with Region 10 Education Service Center. During her career, Cynthia served and volunteered on numerous boards and organizations, including Texas Fellows, Texas Association of Education and Rehabilitation (TAER) Member, SCIVIS Texas, and Delta Kappa Gamma Society for Educators. She is excited to continue serving students, families and teachers with the amazing organization “All Blind Children of Texas.”
Kelly Davis-Burns
Kelly Davis-Burns is a native Austinite who began working at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) in 1989 as a sub with the Life skills program and Deaf Blind students. After a long affiliation with TSBVI, she is still inspired by the dedication of the teachers and staff. Kelly’s current role is working as Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Principal of Comprehensive Programs and ARD Assistant to the High School Team. Assisting the teachers and students offers her daily insights into how the curriculum and educators at TSBVI serve each student’s educational goals, achievements, and personal growth. Kelly is honored to be a board member of All Blind Children of Texas and work in conjunction with her esteemed fellow board members to extend possibilities to students with visual impairments throughout Texas. She assists their teachers in providing rewarding life experiences, enrichment and learning.
Valerie Alvarez
After receiving her degree from The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), Valerie relocated to Austin and started her career at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI). In 2013, Valerie began working at The Texas Work Force Commission (TWC)/ Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center (CCRC) as a Career Guidance instructor and in 2016 she accepted her current position of Blindness Training Coordinator. In 2017 Valerie was selected to record a TED Talk at Texas State University. Her talk is called Learning to say the B word.
Valerie also leads a busy personal life. She is married and has four beautiful children and one Granddaughter.