Tom Perski

Background

About Tom Perski

Tom is the Founder and Director of the Low Vision Service as part of the non-profit organization called People Who Care of Prescott Arizona. Tom’s vision loss began in college when he was diagnosed with Stargardt Macular Dystrophy. The hopeful artist and athlete was forced to pivot his efforts into a career of improving the lives and lifestyles of the visually impaired. He later enrolled into Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Family and Community Counseling as a legally blind student. Tom’s been impacting the Low Vision community since the mid-80s when he helped launch the country’s first major low vision conference, Discovery Low Vision Conference - Chicago, IL. His leadership has also instituted many new Low Vision Rehabilitation programs for both children and adults. Seeing is Believing, founded in 1991 and sponsored by the Lions of IL Foundation, served over 1400 children in its first 4 years. Working side by side with Dr. Gerald Fishman of the University of IL Eye and Ear Infirmary, Tom helped launch Stargardt International, the first foundation for Stargardt disease. As Senior VP of the Chicago Lighthouse, Tom developed a team of assistive technology and rehabilitation professionals that became world-wide influencers in developing new technology for many companies including Humanware and eSight, both of Canada, Ollendorf and Baum of Germany.