agebuzz Guest Blogger: Katherine Schneider, Ph.D.

Katherine Schneider, Ph.D. (blind from birth) is a retired clinical psychologist living in Eau Claire, WI with her tenth Seeing Eye dog. She has served on several boards including the Eau Claire County Board, the Governor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities and the Benetech/Bookshare Board. In addition to numerous professional papers and articles, Katherine has published a memoir, “To the Left of Inspiration: Adventures in Living with Disabilities”, a children’s book, “Your Treasure Hunt: Disabilities and Finding Your Gold” and two books for seniors (half of whom will develop disabilities later in life), “Occupying Aging: Delights, Disabilities and Daily Life” and “Hope of the Crow: Tales of Occupying Aging”. She originated the Schneider Family Book Awards for children’s books with disability content through the American Library Association and an award for superior journalism about disability issues through the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. Locally, Katherine started the Access Eau Claire fund through the Eau Claire Community Foundation to help non-profit organizations work toward full inclusion of people with disabilities. She’s a passionate advocate for access for all to the good things of life, like chocolate, puzzles, and thrillers. Subscribe to her blog, http://kathiecomments.wordpress.com for details.