Katie Frederick, Author at ConnectCenter

About Katie Frederick

Katie Frederick is the Digital Content Manager for VisionAware, part of the APH ConnectCenter. She has worked in federal and state government, higher education, and nonprofit leadership. Katie advocates for people who are blind or low vision.

Shopping if Blind or Low Vision

Person purchases items at a clothing store

Your shopping methods will likely vary according to your mobility and travel skills, general health, and merchandise preferences. Here are some hints, tips, and techniques that can help make shopping more relaxed and enjoyable: General Shopping Hints Grocery Shopping The following tips are usually helpful in most food shopping locations: Shopping for Clothing If you’ve […]

Employment After Vision Loss

Experiencing vision changes that affect your job can be stressful and overwhelming. You might be grieving your vision loss while wondering, ‘How can I keep working?’ or ‘How will I support myself?’ There are ways to adapt and thrive—both during and after vision loss. You can learn how to communicate with your employer and explore […]

Celebrating Helen Keller – Her Life, Achievements and Indelible Influence

Posted on June 12, 2025 - 10:39 am by Katie Frederick

Helen Keller surrounded by a crown of young people

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated as of June 2025 to reflect new information about Helen Keller’s legacy and the preservation of her work. It may be hard to imagine, but Helen Keller – born June 27, 1880 – and her beloved teacher and friend, Annie Sullivan, were their era’s equivalent of TikTok stars.   Annie famously taught DeafBlind Helen […]

Cataracts: Symptoms, Treatment, and My Journey to Clearer Vision

Eye monitoring and treatment healthcare. Biometric scan of male eye close up.

If you’re experiencing blurry vision, glare, or difficulty seeing clearly, you might be wondering about cataracts. I can relate. I’ve navigated the world with less-than-perfect eyesight since first grade, a delightful experience marked by those thick ’70s and ’80s glasses that magnified my eyes. My mom also had lifelong vision issues, so perhaps it was […]

Dating 101 When Blind or Low Vision

Adjusting to vision changes can be very challenging. Learning new ways to travel, using assistive technology, preparing meals, and completing household chores can feel overwhelming and stressful. While adjusting, romance may or may not be at the top of your list. Thoughts of having a happy and healthy love life might be the farthest thing […]

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