Aaron Spelker has a deep passion for assistive technology—and for helping others with vision loss regain confidence, independence, and possibility.

Following a 25-year career in financial services, Aaron lost his vision due to an accident in 2019. Determined to adapt, he turned to assistive technology training at the Carroll Center for the Blind, where he became proficient in using screen readers, VoiceOver, and other tools that enabled him to navigate the digital world independently.

Today, Aaron is a passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion. He has served as a Carroll Center volunteer and guest speaker, teaching advanced assistive technology skills, and now works as an Assistive Technology Coordinator at the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Aaron is also the author of The Bubonic Reorder—a book he completed after losing his vision, something he once thought would be impossible.

Assistive technology transformed Aaron’s confidence at a time when he was unsure what life after vision loss would look like. He never imagined he would finish his book—until he learned how to use specialized software that allowed him to write independently. That experience shifted his perspective and opened the door to new possibilities. “I stopped thinking about the things I can’t do,” Aaron shares, “and figured out what I can do.”

At the Carroll Center, Aaron found more than technical skills—he found community. Learning alongside individuals who had been blind their entire lives pushed him to grow quickly and exposed him to new tools, strategies, and ways of thinking. “My life is so much more enriched by what they taught me,” he says. The experience deepened his involvement in the blind community and reinforced for him the importance of shared learning and peer support.

Equipped with advanced technology training, Aaron now feels called to help others navigate their own journeys with vision loss. Rather than working behind the scenes in corporate accessibility, he focuses on teaching individuals directly—helping them overcome barriers, learn workarounds, and build confidence as technology continues to evolve. “It can be overwhelming,” he explains. “I’ve been there. I want to help people learn how to work through accessibility issues and understand the tools that can help them.”

Aaron has seen firsthand how technology training can be life-changing. He recalls working with an accounts payable manager who relied on sighted coworkers to read inaccessible scanned receipts. After learning to use AI-powered tools, she told him, “Since you taught me that tip, I haven’t had to rely on a sighted coworker to do my job for me.” Moments like these reinforce why Aaron does this work: “I want to change somebody’s life.”

For those newly experiencing vision loss and feeling overwhelmed, Aaron offers simple but powerful advice: start small. “Don’t let feeling overwhelmed freeze you,” he says. “Pick one thing to learn, master it, and then move on. Bit by bit, it will feel less overwhelming—and it will change your life.”

As technology continues to advance, Aaron believes it is closing the gap between what people with vision loss can and cannot do—especially when paired with proper training. “Don’t let other people’s lack of imagination limit your reality,” he says. “Just because they can’t imagine how you can do something without sight doesn’t mean you can’t.”

When asked to finish this sentence—Technology training gave me…—Aaron doesn’t hesitate:

“Technology training gave me my life back. The majority of the day, I forget I am blind because I have good technology skills that allow me to fully participate in life.”

Through Aaron’s journey, the impact of the Carroll Center’s mission is clear: empowering one person with the right skills and support can create a ripple effect—transforming not just one life, but many.