[Massachusetts-NFB] Member to Member - Getting to Know Each Other

[Bronwen Tedesco]

Welcome to our next Member to Member! Today we will get to know me, Bronwen
Tedesco.


I was born in West Palm Beach, Florida then when I was four, I moved to
California. I was briefly in Aptos, then Soquel, then I lived in Bonny
Doon, a suburb of Santa Cruz from when I was seven, then moved to Tucson,
Arizona when I was ten. I grew up with my parents and my older sister,
Taylor. When I lived in California, I enjoyed going to the Santa Cruz Beach
Boardwalk, surfing, and skiing at Lake Tahoe. When I was in Arizona, I
enjoyed swimming in the pool.


I attended public school from kindergarten to sixth grade, then went to
Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB), then attended Perkins my
junior and senior year. I realized there was something different about me
when I was in kindergarten. Everyone else had a pencil, but I had a
brailler. I was confused, telling my aid that I wanted to use a pencil like
everyone else then when I got home, standing in my parents’ room, I proudly
proclaimed that I was going to quit braille. Sometimes because of noticing
this difference, over the years, I rebelled when I had to work with my TVI.
Interestingly though, there was no anger about losing vision since I was
born with Lebers, I just knew there was something different and felt like
an outsider. That feeling, along with the lack of support, bullying, and
not having that normal school experience that kids have made me decide to
attend a blind school from seventh grade on where I made friends, played
Goalball and ran track, and where I was just another kid at school.


When given the choice to stay in Tucson or go to Rhode Island when I was
sixteen, I chose Rhode Island because I felt there would be more for me. I
attended Perkins, then attended Lesley University, graduating in 2022, with
a bachelors degree in English. Initially I was going for education, but
ultimately decided it was not what I wanted to do. That November, I
attended the Louisiana Center for the Blind, graduating in 2023. I landed
my first real job as an assistive technology specialist at Mabvi in 2024,
then a cashier at Target that same year. I also took and passed the
Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) exam
which is about assistive technology for various disabilities as well as
basic web accessibility and disability laws in hopes to work in digital
accessibility. Unfortunately, it was extremely difficult to find such a
job, considering I would need two years of experience before I could take
the web accessibility specialist exam. n February the following year, I
landed a job as a reservationist for the ride where I remain today. I am
hoping to find another job soon related to technology whether I work on an
accessibility team, for Apple, or another company that creates with
accessibility in mind.


When I was in high school, I attended summer programs to gain independence,
and that was when I discovered the NFB. It was when I attended my first
National convention in 2014 with SAAVI, southern Arizona Association for
the Blind and Visually Impaired. Unlike the other teenagers in the program,
I was interested in general session and my passion grew for the cause. I
became involved in 2018 when I was in college, and stayed involved ever
since as a member of the Cambridge Chapter. My advice to anyone who has
recently lost their vision or joined the NFB is that you can do anything.
You may have to do it differently, but you can still do it. There will
always be people behind you. Really embrace being in a community that has
those shared experiences because those people can teach you, help you, and
encourage you and if you have the option to go to training, go! I currently
live independently in Arlington and enjoy filming, fashion, going to the
mall, traveling, listening to music, singing, and learning about technology.
While I currently live in Arlington, I am hoping to someday return to the
Coolidge Corner area in Brookline, or live in the heart of Boston. It has
been great getting to tell you about myself! Stay tuned for our next Member
to Member!


Stay safe in the storm!


Sincerely,

Bronwen
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