Staff

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Rehabilitation Department
Administrative
Computer Training
Marketing, Outreach, Low Vision
Community Services
Education Services
The Store

Rehabilitation Department

Mr. Rabih Dow

Rabih directs both the Residential Rehabilitation Training program and the International Training Program. He holds a university degree in Twentieth Century History, as he had planned on a career in foreign diplomacy. Blinded in the Lebanese War (1982) at the age of 16, Mr. Dow has the perspective of a foreign national while having become thoroughly American. Prior to becoming rehabilitation director he taught communications in the Carroll Center’s rehabilitation program, beginning in 1995.

Eleanor Martin BS, RTC

Ellie has taught in the blindness field for 25 years. Starting as a Personal management teacher at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown for 11 years she stopped to raise her three sons and then returned to teaching daily living skills at the Carroll Center in 1990. She now teaches adaptive skills to adults, teens in the summer, and elders so that they can become more independent managing cooking, meal planning and taking care of their homes.

Hannah Fairbairn

Hannah worked in England as a chef and then at the BBC presenting comparisons of cooking equipment, adaptive cooking methods, labeling techniques and home management skills on the weekly radio program for blind people. She was also a major contributor to permanent and traveling exhibits of adaptive home and kitchen design. She has worked at the Carroll Center since 1999 as personal management instructor.

Heather Platt

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Heather received her MA in Orientation and Mobility, San Francisco State University in 2002. She has been working as a Mobility Instructor at the Carroll Center since graduation (2002) and loves the job.

Naomi Zabot

Naomi is a native of Bangor, Maine. She graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in European Cultural Studies. Intent on studying Europe’s culture, she landed in Greece and remained there for the next couple of years cleaning fish-nets. After moving to Amsterdam for a year to pursue her candle-making skills, she returned to New York City, where she obtained a dual Master’s degree in Orientation and Mobility and Vision Rehabilitation from Hunter College. She joined the rehabilitation team at the CarrollCenter for the Blind in 2006 and believes she has landed in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Joann Callahan

Massachusetts certified English teacher Grades 7-12. Emmanuel College, BA. Massachusetts certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired. Boston College, MEd. Low Vision Therapist with ACVREP certification. Ophthalmic Medical Assistant certificate from Boston University School of Medicine. Married to a great man 34 years; mother of three wonderful children! Has worked at the Carroll Center as Low Vision Trainer for 16 years.

Maria de los Angeles Goldstein

Maria is an Orientation and Mobility Instructor from Uruguay. She came to the Carroll Center for the Blind in the year 2000 as a participant in the International training program for Teachers in the field of Blind rehabilitation. In 2002, she returned to take a position here. In Uruguay, Maria worked with children and adults – but here she works with adults. She loves her job! She is still learning with each client that comes here and the she thinks the staff is great. Maria currently attends school at night to qualify for her U. S. certification. She is married and has two wonderful teenage sons in Uruguay. She hopes they will join her soon.

Robin Hatch

Robin is an RN. She graduated from Malden Hospital School of Nursing and Endicott College. She has experience in Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Geriatrics and was a Nursing Manager of Community Living Services at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA for 14 years. She has worked at The Carroll Center for the Blind since 1999. Robin teaches Health Management Skills including diabetes management, nutrition and exercise to adults and teens in the summer. She also monitors the heath needs of each client in residence – evaluating medication, and teaching them methods of organizing medication, labeling and dosage.

Laurie Anderson

Denise Doktor

Margaret Cleary

Eric Solee

Eric first came to The Carroll Center in 1968. He was invited by The Carroll Center’s fencing instructor, Larry Dargie, to compete with blind fencers. Wearing a blindfold, Eric lost all three bouts to blind students. Greatly intrigued by the fencing ability of the blind students and impressed by its value in their rehabilitation, Eric ended up succeeding Larry as fencing instructor. He also taught the manual arts class in The Carroll Center’s shop, another program that often amazes visitors. Eric then moved on to be a full- time fencing coach at MIT, while still teaching fencing at The Carroll Center. Even now, retired from MIT, he continues to teach Carroll Center students, as well as to coach at Harvard and in New Hampshire.

Kate Crohan

Administrative, Business, Fundraising & Support staff

Mrs. Rachel Rosenbaum

Rachel is the President of the agency. She holds a BA with two majors, History and French, and a Master’s in Social Anthropology from Brandeis University. She has been the President of The Carroll Center for the Blind since 1976. Prior to becoming director she worked at the agency in the capacity of Admissions Coordinator. She started her working years as a High School teacher.

Michael J. Mullahy

Graduating from Boston College with a degree in Business management Mike has been the Controller and Business Manager of the Center since 1987. Prior to that, he had twenty-five years experience in the Public and Manufacturing sections. He is affectionately known as “the money doctor” by his fellow employees.

Betty Campbell

Arthur O’Neill

Serves as Vice President assisting the President with administrative matters and represents the agency through public relations and public education efforts. He also directs the Outdoor Enrichment and SailBlind Programs, he founded in the late 1970’s. He holds a M.Ed. from Boston College and joined the agency in 1971 as O&M(Orientation and Mobility) instructor.

Peg Hawkins

Peg is Public Education Assistant and assists the V. President in P.R matters that represent the agency. She coordinates activities and participants for the Outdoor Enrichment and SailBlind Programs. She also oversees The Carroll Store operations. Peg joined the Carroll Center Staff in 1995. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Rose Hunt

Computer Training Program

Brian Charlson

Brian is Vice President of Computer Training Services, directing the Technology Training Programs both on the campus and through Distance Learning. He began his employment at the Carroll Center in 1985 as a classroom teacher in the same program, training blind and visually impaired people to use computers through speech, Braille and large print. Brian has presented on adaptive technology subjects at International conferences and innumerable local and national conferences. He has also been a guest speaker on technology, leadership and special education at conferences in Spain, Israel, Greece, Canada and Australia.

Brian is also active in the blindness community with the American Council of the Blind for over 25 years as a leader on both the state and national level; represents the ACB on the regional and international level of the World Blind Union; serves as Board of Trustees member of the American Foundation for the Blind; as the Chair of AER’S Division V (information technology), and as the Chair of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind’s Rehabilitation Council. Brian’s current passion is making access technology training available to everyone who needs it through on-line classes. Check out his current efforts at www.carrolltech.org.

Brian Margie

With a background in small business and experience in inventory, shipping and receiving, and customer service, Brian Margie has been working at The Carroll Center since April 1993. He has provided years of impassioned service in Adaptive Technology Instruction through both the Rehabilitation and Computer Technology departments. Brian has the experience, desire, confidence and Carroll Center resources to start individuals on their way and to assist them as they proceed.

Mark Sadecki

Mark as been designing websites since Netscape 1.0 and has most recently become a brave defender of Web Standards. What does this mean? Well, it means that Mark takes his code very seriously. Some people say, that since Mark has become smitten with web standards, his room is much cleaner, too. Mark is currently involved in the development of the Online Distance Learning Program at www.carrolltech.org where blind, and low-vision students as well as those who instruct them, can take computer classes online. When he’s not writing code, Mark is renovating his recently purchased home in Franklin, MA, throwing pottery, or fresh-water fly fishing. Mark joined the center’s staff in May 2003, first as a consultant and now as an employee.

Ms. Joanmarie Diggs, MLIS, M.Ed.

Assistive Technology Specialist, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, (COMS) Certified Rehabilitation Teacher (CRT). She has seven years of experience adapting computers and other devices for accessibility and providing ongoing, direct technology instruction to children, adults and other professionals. Ms. Diggs also has a Masters in Library Services and Information Science with a focus in library automation. Ms Diggs is currently developing a curriculum for teaching technology to students with visual impairments and co-authoring courses for distance learning opportunities for consumers with visual impairments. Recently, she completed a study of TVIs in New England to identify existing skills and needs in the areas of mainstream and assistive technology. She co-founded the New Hampshire Computer Users Group for consumers with visual impairments.

Heather Campbell

Heather is the Lead Instructor in the Computer Training Services Department. She has her Masters degree in special education, low incidence disabilities from Boston College. Prior to taking up her post as an instructor of access technology in the spring of 2001, Heather was the Administrative Assistant for the Department. Her background and education in working with blind and visually impaired youth has helped her take the leadership role in the “On-Line To College” program held at the Carroll Center each summer. In addition to her access technology training skills, Heather is a member of the Toast Masters where she is working on her public speaking skills.

Nancy Tavis

Robert Baron

Eric Gasper

Jerry Berrier

Marketing, Outreach, Low Vision

Dina Rosenbaum M.Ed.

With a background in special education and a masters degree in Education and Technology she was hired 19 years ago to manage the Carroll Center’s new Computer Training department. In 1998, she took on new responsibilities as Vice President of Marketing. In addition to marketing services to different consumer and professional groups, she also oversees job placement services, assistive technology services for children and professional development seminars. In 2001 Dina received the Excellence in Rehabilitation award from the Northeast Chapter of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Robert McGillivray

Bob began his career as a Research Engineer at the Carroll Center in 1970 working on research projects involving hearing abilities and travel, the first generation CCTV video magnifiers and night vision devices. In 1973 he developed a formal low vision training program for clients of the residential rehabilitation program and in 1975 established clinical low vision services at the Carroll Center which he has been directing since that time. In 1978 he began working part-time as the low vision/rehabilitation engineering consultant to the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. In 1987 the Carroll Center established Project VUE (Vision Use in Employment) a program to provide rehabilitation engineering services for visually impaired clients who are not legally blind. Services are provided to employers, insurance companies, low vision clinics, other state agencies as well as to individuals who need to determine their vocational potential. Provides Assistive Technology Assessments for school-aged students with low vision, Computer Access Assessments for the low vision clients of the Carroll Center’s computer training program, and Senior Vision Assessments to determine the low vision potential of the elderly and non- working clients.

Bob received the Northeast Chapter of Association of Educators and Rehabilitators for the Blind Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation in 1991. 2002 Outstanding Contributions in Direct Services to Persons with Low Vision. He holds AER certification as a Low Vision Therapist.

Jean Holland

Jean Holland started working at the Carroll Center in 1994 as the Community and Educational Services Coordinator, which entailed the monthly billing as well as the geographical assigning of clients to instructors.In 2001, she took a leave of absence for a year and a half to spend time with her family only to return in 2003 as the Intake Coordinator.When she is not diligently working at the Carroll Center, she still enjoys spending leisurely time with her friends and family.

Community Services

Orientation & Mobility

Richard Connors

Dick is VP for Community Services, and Administrator of our computer network. He served for many years as an Orientation & Mobility instructor in both residential and community settings, and was Director of the Residential Rehabilition program from 1979-81 and 1986-97.

Joseph Kolb, M.A. (COMS)

A Massachusetts native, Joseph Kolb received his B.A. (Psychology) from Williams College in 1978 and an M.A. in Special Education (Orientation & Mobility) from Boston College in 1982. He joined The Carroll Center in 1983 as an Instructor within Boston and surrounding areas. He has worked in a wide variety of settings, including the public schools, college campuses, sheltered workshops, competitive work environments, state schools, community residences, correctional facilities, and the general community. Mr. Kolb has supervised numerous Carol Coggio Faherty

Has been with the Carroll Center since: 1979

Degree: BA in Special Education from Boston College and M. Ed in Orientation and Mobility from Boston College.

Susan Bergeron

Has been with the Carroll Center since: 1968

Degree: BA in Elementary Education and an M.Ed from Boston College in Orientation & Mobility.

Richard Roper

Has been with the Carroll Center since: 1969

Degree: BA in Sociology from Stone Hill College and M.Ed from Boston College in Orientation & Mobility

Peter Waterfield

Peter earned a B.S. from Springfield College, an M.Ed. from Boston College, and joined the Carroll Center in 1966. Since then he’s worked as an Orientation & Mobility instructor. In his many years with us Peter has worked with people of all ages, from early childhood to very elderly, and in virtually all locations in the state

Ed Christopher

Ed received a BS from Boston State College in 1966, an MEd in Orientation & Mobility from Boston College in 1967, and a CAGS degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Boston University in 1969. He has recently retired from high school counseling after over 30 years of service. Since 1967 he has worked summers and part time for The Carroll Center, working as an O&M instructor in Community Services, and serving for many years as the Director of Summer Youth Programs.

Maureen Coyle

Maureen received an MA from the Boston College Peripatology program in 1984. She has worked part time in the Partnership Program in Southeastern Massachusetts since its inception. She also provides orientation & mobility services to students in several school systems in the Fall River/New Bedford area.

Maureen is also the founder and Director of Vision Unlimited, Inc, a nonprofit providing group travel experiences to students beyond the scope of what’s available in their schools.

Donna DiCorpo

Donna received her MEd from the Boston College Peripatology program. She has worked at the Kennedy Shriver Center / Fernald State School, and also with blind, multi-handicapped residents of the Wrentham and Dever State Schools. She currently works part time in the Partnership Program. Donna also provides orientation & mobility services to students in the Taunton Public Schools, from preschool through high school.

Educational Services

Karen Ross, Ph.D

Dr. Ross has a BS in Special Education: Visual Handicaps ( Northern Illinois University ), a MEd in Educational Administration and Supervision ( Rutgers University ) and a PhD in Special Ed Administration/Counseling Psychology ( Boston College ). She has been Vice President of Education Services at the Carroll Center since 1993, overseeing a staff of over 20 itinerant professionals who provide evaluation, consultation and instructional services to approximately 200 students annually in Massachusetts , New Hampshire and Rhode Island . She also coordinates a number of special projects which enrich the educational development and overall wellbeing of students with blindness and visual impairment, such as the annual Braille Literacy Celebration and Braille Challenge Qualifying Event, the Jump Up and Go Wellness Project, and a Workshop Series which trains Paraprofessionals to work with vision-impaired school-age students.

Dr. Ross’ prior experiences include: Education Counselor and Assistant Supervisor of the George F Meyer Textbooks and Materials Center at the NJ Commission for the Blind; Coordinator of the federally funded Interstate Inservice Project at Boston College; Low Incidence Disabilities Consultant for the Massachusetts Department of Education; and Adjunct Lecturer at Boston College , Lesley University and Fitchburg State College .

Dr Ross is a founding member of the statewide Association of Massachusetts Educators of Students with Visual Impairments , and is the State Co-Coordinator for the National Agenda for the Education of Students with Blindness and Visual Impairment, including those with Multiple Disabilities. She has also served on the regional and national Boards of Directors of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired , and is an ex officio member of the Governor’s Massachusetts Braille Literacy Advisory Council.