Bingham named spokesperson for DeafBlind Awareness Week

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ENID — Employment is the primary goal for Kristi Bingham from Enid, recently named the official spokesperson for 2024 DeafBlind Awareness Week in Oklahoma.

The honor was bestowed by Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI) and their DeafBlind Services staff to celebrate the life of American author, lecturer and humanitarian Helen Keller.

“I’ve been a client off and on throughout life,” Bingham said. “My goal is to go back to work and enjoy working. I look forward to getting a job so I will have more income and not have to struggle every day.”

Bingham, born in 1975 with cataracts, lost her vision completely by age 15 due to childhood glaucoma. In 2014, she lost 50% of her hearing in a work-related accident. She now travels with her guide dog, Derek, trained by Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Bingham receives support from SBVI, including job search assistance, professional clothing vouchers, hearing aids and a laptop with specialized software. She also underwent training at the Helen Keller National Center, focusing on independent living, mobility, vocational skills and job search immersion.

Bingham aspires to help others, possibly as an Oklahoma School for the Blind dorm parent or at a hospital. She emphasizes the importance of the Department of Rehabilitation Services for those losing their sight.

SBVI will host a DeafBlind resource fair on June 27 at Metro Tech’s Springlake Campus in Oklahoma City. The public is invited to this free event to celebrate Keller’s birthday and help DeafBlind individuals build connections and discover new products.

For more information, contact SBVI at 580-447-3083 or [email protected].