Anthony R. Candela

I am semi-retired from a professional career in the field of blindness and visual impairment spanning more than 40 years and also a “retired” athlete (wrestler and long distance runner). I love movies, sports, reading, writing, and music, including dabbling in guitar. I am interested in enhancing the success of blind persons who wish to work and live fully in society. Recently, I received the Steven Garff Marriott Award for lifetime achievement from the American Foundation for the Blind.

I have published two books, a memoir and a science fiction novella. In my memoir, Stand Up Or Sit Out: Memories and Musings of a Blind Wrestler, Runner, and All-around Regular Guy, I traverse a lifetime of challenges. Some of these are accidents of birth like my poor eyesight and slow trek to blindness and some are of my own making like choosing to compete as a scholar-athlete.

In my dystopian novella, Vision Dreams: A Parable, I, a self-described “Trekor” and “secular humanist”, show the extremes to which societies (and individuals) will go if sufficiently frightened (especially if science and technology permit it) in order to achieve, if not happiness, then at least relief from tyranny.

Over the years, I have published short pieces in various organizational newsletters and magazines as well as several professional articles in peer-reviewed journals including the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness.

Currently, I direct a graduate certificate program in blindness and low-vision and work in other projects with the National Research and Training Center in Blindness and Low-vision at Mississippi State University. My career spans more than 45 years and includes leadership positions with Federal, State, and not-for-profit agencies. I have been on several Boards of Directors and advisory councils.