Local Software Writer Who Is Blind Gets Nominated for Award

Mr. Brandon Carpenter, originally from Camden and now residing in Conway, has been nominated as a candidate for the Annual Consumer of the Year Award to be presented by Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Services for the Blind (DSB). The overall winner will be named at the end of the year.

“We nominated him, because he completed his training without prompting, found employment and continues working. I think Mr. Carpenter is a very good example of how a visually impaired person can work and complete public training successfully. He was really a pleasure to work with,” said his Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Tarrie Barnes. “He is a very pleasant person.”

Carpenter, who writes computer software programs from his home for Rock Pond Solutions, said he was pleased to accept the nomination.

Carpenter says he has Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy, also known as Juvenile Onset Macular Degeneration, in both eyes. It is a rare, progressive disease. Children first notice difficulty in reading, complaining of gray, black or hazy spots in the center of their vision, and their eyes require more time to adjust between light and dark environments.

The condition is named for German ophthalmologist Dr. Karl Stargardt, who first reported it in 1901. More recently the genetic cause of this progressive disease has been found, perhaps paving the way towards a future cure.

Carpenter has a Bachelor of Arts in Business from the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). DSB paid for his studies at UCA and continued to provide counseling and guidance until his service case was closed. 

Carpenter is more than a number to DSB; he’s a success and an inspiration. DSB is privileged to recognize Carpenter for a job well done and trusts that success will continue to follow this deserving individual, who has demonstrated that with determination, blindness is not a barrier to competitive employment. Hundreds of Arkansans with a disability return to work each year after receiving vocational rehabilitation services.

DSB provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired and whose goal is successful employment. DSB also serves youth and older blind individuals. People wanting information about DSB’s programs and services can call 1-800-960-9270 or 501-682-5463 or visit the DSB website at http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/dsb/NEWDSB/index.htm.

Thank You to Our Federal Partners

NCSAB extends our sincere thanks to Diana Diaz, Acting OSERS Assistant Secretary Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and Christopher Pope, Acting RSA Commissioner, for joining the NCSAB Executive Strategic Planning Meeting. The Executive Team opened the planning meeting by hearing from our federal partners!

We are grateful for their continued leadership, collaboration, and vision in advancing the mission of vocational rehabilitation, especially for individuals who are blind and visually impaired.

Together, we are moving forward with shared priorities:

1. Celebrating and sharing success stories of clients, including those with co-occurring disabilities, who achieve competitive integrated employment.
2. Advancing employment choice of our clients to pursue career paths through informed decision making, supportive environments, and continuous access to VR’s comprehensive services.
3. Expanding meaningful self-employment pathways that reflect the talent and potential of our clients.

We are energized by the momentum and look forward to all that lies ahead—more great things to come!





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