Kate Bleyl-Ericson
We are pleased to welcome Kate Bleyl-Ericson as the newest member of the Council staff. Kate came on board on May 12 as our Vision Services Navigator. A new position at the Council, the navigator will serve as a “first stop” for new clients coming to the Council, working with them to help figure out what resources they need both within and outside the Council to retain or maximize their independence.
When a new client reaches out to the Council for the first time, they might not know what help they really need. While our front desk team does a great job of fielding these initial calls, it takes longer conversations to learn how to best address a person’s needs. A navigator has special training in supportive listening and knowledge of available community support. Kate’s role will include determining whether the client’s needs can be addressed by the Council’s vision services team or if a referral to another agency is more appropriate.
Kate moved to Madison from the Houston, Texas area in 2020 and has worked in everything from restaurant kitchens to warehouses to multiple nonprofits in the Dane County area. In her nonprofit work, Kate served as an outreach coordinator for families and people dealing with mental health issues, helping them find the resources they need. Outside of work, Kate spends her time camping and fishing with her wife. She is also part of a local dance collective, specializing in both ballet and Odissi, a traditional form of dance that originated in India.
While fully sighted herself, Kate says she grew up around people with vision loss her entire life, with both family and friends who are blind or low vision. “Navigating a visually-oriented world is very different when you have vision loss,” Kate says. “I’m excited to connect my personal past with my professional experience as the Council’s navigator.”
Welcome aboard, Kate!
