Lisa Stella, Executive Director
LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND OF THE PALM BEACHES
The mission of the Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, founded in 1946, is to assist persons with visual impairments to develop their capabilities to the fullest and utilize them in life’s pursuits—a right and privilege of all. Executive Director Lisa Stella, longtime partner and friend of the Lighthouse, began her career with the nonprofit in 2024, and has worked tirelessly to be an advocate for its life-changing services. She possesses excellent leadership skills, having previously served as Director of Development at The Learning Center, Director of Development at Opportunity Early Childhood Education and Family Center, and as an Executive at IBM Corporation.
Q: Why is an organization like Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches so important to a visually impaired person?
A: The Lighthouse for the Blind serves individuals of all ages from 0 to expiration, meeting clients where they are in their vision loss journey. We teach essential independent living skills and provide the technology needed to navigate the world, such as iPhones, iPads, and smart eyewear that reads aloud and describes surroundings. These devices are particularly vital for tasks like grocery shopping and dispensing medication, enabling clients to read labels and maintain autonomy.
Q: How can the visually impaired become more a part of the community in which they live?
A: With the right training and devices provided by the Lighthouse, the visually impaired can navigate everyday life and fully engage in their communities. By planning ahead, they can participate in activities like attending shows at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, going to the movies, playing golf or having a rewarding and fulfilling vocation. The visually impaired can do nearly everything, except drive a car or fly a plane.
Q: What are the things that a sighted person can do to dispel the misconceptions about the visually impaired?
A: Visually impaired individuals strive for independence, meaningful work, and opportunities. Sighted people can help dispel misconceptions by offering and asking if assistance is needed, rather than assuming it. The Lighthouse team provides sensitivity training to address these issues. The Lighthouse serves five counties—Palm Beach, St. Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee. We offer free personalized services to individuals of all ages with visual impairments, tailoring our support to meet their unique needs.
561.586.5600
lhpb.org
This branded content is from the February 2025 issue of Boca magazine. For more from this year’s Ask the Experts special section, click here.
