LOUISVILLE, KY (August 4, 2022)—Skylar Covich, Ph.D. of Santa Barbara, CA, graduated from the Blind Leaders Development Program at the American Foundation for the Blind’s (AFB) special commencement ceremony on August 2, 2022.
Launched in 2020, the Blind Leaders Development Program was created by AFB to increase upward mobility and create meaningful leadership experiences for individuals who are blind or low vision, who are already employed and in the early stages of their careers.
While in the program, Dr. Covich and his fellow graduates received extensive training in leadership, networking, communication, and other key skills for advancing in their careers and improving their effectiveness as they achieve higher levels of authority and influence. Other facets of the program included following the Leadership Challenge curriculum, attending a series of webinars, and being paired with a successful blind or low vision mentor who provided honest advice and feedback about what it takes to succeed in the workforce. Dr. Covich was among 18 graduates of the Centennial Cohort, named as such in light of AFB celebrating 100 years advocating on behalf of those who are blind or have low vision throughout 2021.
Dr. Skylar Covich has been totally blind since birth, having been diagnosed with Leber Congenital Amaurosis. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Politics from St Mary's College, and a Ph.D. in political science from UC Santa Barbara, with a specialty in American Politics and the politics of religious organizations. Dr. Covich taught undergraduate courses at UC Santa Barbara and California State University Channel Islands, but recently transitioned out of academia and now works as an Access Technology Specialist at the Santa Barbara Braille Institute. Dr. Covich has been involved in a variety of political and advocacy activities; he is past chair of a national nonprofit, the American Solidarity Party, and was active in the UC Teaching Assistants Union in the statewide Joint Council. Dr. Covich is a formerly active administrator on the English Wikipedia, and his organization, WikiBlind, has partnered with AFB on efforts to recruit blind editors to the free knowledge movement.
Dr. Covich is also a musician, performing publicly on piano, clarinet, and voice. His goals are to obtain a professional position in research, public policy, or outreach. He is interested in the possibility of returning to academic writing, perhaps with a book on the history of movements of and for the blind in the US. Skylar and his wife Theresa live in Santa Barbara, CA, and have a baby son, Peter.
“These 18 professionals, including Skylar, have honed their knowledge and skills to take on greater authority and responsibility in their professional fields,” said Neva Fairchild, who oversees the program. “Due to their intensive learning and practice, as well as the work of their mentors, for whom we are all grateful, Skylar and his fellow graduates now have the imperative to create and sustain a more inclusive workforce.”
Since its inception in 2020, the program has seen a steady rise in applicants. The recently-launched third cohort is the largest class to date. For more information, visit AFB.org/BlindLeaders.
