Blindness knows no limit for Pardis. Born with Retinitis Pigmentosa, Pardis gradually lost her vision and was completely blind by her early twenties. Undeterred, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Persian literature in Iran.

After pursuing a second master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies in Germany, Pardis moved to the United States in 2023. It was at the Carroll Center for the Blind that her journey took a transformative turn.

Enrolling in the Workplace Computing program, Pardis learned to use assistive technology and tools like Zoom and ChatGPT. These new skills helped her regain confidence and a sense of empowerment. Encouraged by a staff member to apply to the Vision Studies program at UMass Boston, Pardis submitted her application with only 10 days left and was accepted. She is now pursuing an Assistive Technology certification (CATIS).

Pardis credits her instructor, David Kingsbury, for inspiring her to pursue this path. The Carroll Center not only equipped her with practical skills but reminded her of her potential. Today, Pardis looks toward a future in vision rehabilitation with renewed purpose, proving that blindness has not been a limit but a driving force in her journey.