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
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.
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.
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.
Debra Sewell
Debra Sewell has been a teacher of students with visual impairments for over 35 years. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in elementary education and certifications in Early Childhood Education and Visual Impairment. Debra taught in an early childhood classroom in Austin Independent School District and worked at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) for 32 years in various capacities. As the Curriculum Director at TSBVI, she co-authored multiple publications pertaining to the education of students with visual impairment and blindness. Debra is a member of TAER and has received several awards from that organization.
Now retired, Debra loves spending time with her family, and attending sporting events and theatre performances in which her grandchildren participate. She is thrilled to be serving on the ABCTX Board as it gives her the opportunity to continue to empower students.
Eva Thompson-Lavigne
Eva Thompson-Lavigne brings more than 40 years of experience in education, including a decade as an itinerant Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI), where she supported learners of all ages and abilities across diverse settings.
For the past 26 years, she has served in the Outreach Department at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, specializing in transition services. In this role, she has guided transition-age students in accessing essential resources and navigating their individual paths to adulthood.
Now semi-retired, Eva enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, writing, playing music, and dancing.
Marjie Wood
Marjie Wood has dedicated more than 50 years to the field of vision services. She earned her BA in Habilitative Sciences with a specialization in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) from Florida State University, followed by an M.Ed. in Special Education from UT Austin. Marjie has taught O&M at TSBVI and worked with students from birth to age 22 in the Austin Independent School District. She has presented at state, national, and international conferences. Her focus has been collaborating with parents, promoting early O&M intervention, and ensuring all students with visual impairments receive O&M evaluations. Since 2014, Marjie has provided information to parents at each biannual NOAH (National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation) conference. She authored the O&M chapter in Raising a Child with Albinism: A Guide to the School Years. She has also collaborated with other Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists to develop professional curricula through the TSBVI curriculum department. Marjie is excited to serve on the board of ABCTX.
Kevin Ratliff
Kevin Ratliff is an assistive technology instructor with more than 15 years of experience teaching blind students to use accessible equipment and software, as well as mainstream tech. He graduated from Texas State University with a BA in music Composition and performance. He brings that same creativity to his work with students and his nonprofit work. Kevin has been active in the American Council of the Blind at both the national and local levels, serving on multiple committees and holding several board positions over the years. He is a big fan of gadgets, both assistive and mainstream, and he loves exploring how technology can make life easier and help blind people be more productive. When he’s not working or volunteering, you’ll probably find him planning his next trip or discovering a new restaurant or shop.
Andrew Bernet
Joe Campbell
Joe Campbell has 20 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. He currently serves as a Program Specialist on the Policy Team at Texas Workforce Solutions. Before this role, Joe held positions as a VR Teacher, Transition VR Counselor, Blind Children Specialist, and Director of the Senior Corps Foster Grandparent Program for Fort Bend County. Joe is an active member of Houston's White Cane Safety Day and Texas Library Association. He volunteers as a youth sports coach for Houston's YMCA. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a master's degree from Seton Hill University, and a Vision Specialist certificate from Mississippi State University. He is currently completing a master’s degree in counseling at the University of Alabama. In addition to his extensive experience, Joe has a deep passion for his work. He collaborates with community leaders to create job opportunities for people with disabilities. Joe is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities and advocates for inclusivity and equity in the workforce.