ACE Academy

ACE Academy provides a variety of in-person and online workshops for pre-employment transition services.

Features of ACE Academy workshops

Our in-person and online workshops include:

individual coaching and group sessions with peers
2-day in-person retreat option
1, 2, or 4 week online options via Zoom
exceptional blind or disabled coaches, role models, and peer mentors
fun, engaging, and accessible activities, games, and challenges (with prizes!)
safe, confidential, and empowering trainings

ACE Academy instructors

David DeNotaris, MA

David DeNotaris is a speaker, author, and Master Trainer. He has been featured in Fortune magazine, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. David helps over 10,000 individuals with disabilities find real jobs with real pay, each year.

Eileen Rivera Ley, MBA

Eileen Rivera Ley is a diabetes and vision loss expert, a dynamic innovator, and entrepreneur. She has her BA from Harvard University, her MBA from Wharton School of Business, and was selected as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women. Eileen is the creator of Blind Savvy Strength Series and Low Vision Logic.

“To live confident, independent lives in a post COVID-19 world, blind and low vision students need engaging, fully accessible, pre-employment transition services from blind experts who understand.”
Eileen Rivera Ley, MBA

ACE Academy workshops

ACE Academy offers 4 innovative solutions with 16 individual workshops. Our workshops offer essential pre-employment transition skills with blindness nuances. All include individual and group activities as well as unique capstone projects.

ACE Advocacy Academy

ACE Advocacy Academy features intensive trainings via distinct online workshops. Through our unique advocacy workshops for blind and low vision people, participants learn from savvy blind advocates. They practice and refine positive disability self-disclosure techniques in order to explain capabilities and accommodation needs to future employers. Students work together to explain disability-related rights and responsibilities with peers, teachers, administrators and employers.

ACE Job Readiness through Productivity & Assistive Technology

ACE Job Readiness through Productivity & Assistive Technology offers comprehensive training through five specialized workshops. The program begins with foundational personal productivity and pre-employment skills, followed by two technology-focused tracks for iOS and Android users that enhance independence through mobile device mastery. The curriculum also includes academic success strategies for high school and college students and concludes with practical approaches for maximizing effectiveness through various vision assistance technologies.

ACE Career Exploration

ACE Career Exploration offers four comprehensive workshops designed to empower blind and low vision individuals in their career journeys. The program includes an Employment Summit featuring expert-led workshops and job fairs, career exploration using O*NET Interest Profiles with opportunities to network with successful blind professionals, an Entrepreneurship Boot Camp led by blind entrepreneurs, and a specialized track for careers in music and entertainment that connects participants with accomplished blind music professionals.

ACE Job Readiness Skills

ACE Job Readiness Skills is a comprehensive program featuring four specialized workshops: an Internship Boot Camp that prepares blind and low vision students for work-based learning experiences a Communication and Networking module focused on developing conversation and self-advocacy skills, and a Leadership workshop exploring emotional intelligence and team dynamics. The program culminates with Illuminations for Professionals, which offers customized training opportunities for staff working in blindness rehabilitation.

ACE Academy fees

Each ACE Academy workshop fee is all-inclusive and covers:

Direct services and expenses for up to 14 students
2 professional coaches: David DeNotaris and Eileen Rivera Ley
Guest speakers and mentors
Technology expenses
Program development, coordination, administration, and delivery
Program supplies and materials, outreach video and flyer, pre- and post-assessment reports
Online ACE EXTRA resources

ACE Academy reviews

“David, Tish, and Eileen,

Thanks to each of you for ably representing the work that we have done in Virginia. I do not know what responses you received, but there should be little doubt that with our partners we have provided an array of opportunities for young people to be exposed to different careers and opportunities to acquire skills. Today’s presentation did not even include opportunities offered through VRCBVI. If there is a more active and thought provoking group in VR, I bet they are too tired to let anyone know what they are doing.

Keep up the good work and making Virginia look good.”
Raymond Hopkins

Commissioner, Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

“David and Eileen,

You are all the ones who truly need to be thanked and recognized for the amazing work that you do and the programs that you have brought to transition-aged students in New Hampshire! The educational opportunities, workshops, networking, connecting, and fun that you have brought to these students, their families, and teachers are incredible. The message is positive and I do think that you are all creating Possibility Thinkers!

You all make a huge difference and your work is very much appreciated!”
Adrienne

New Hampshire Services For The Blind And Vision Impaired

“Eileen and David,

Good afternoon, I sure hope this finds you both doing well and having weathered the last blast of winter without many tribulations. Oklahoma is about back to normal, weather wise that is.

I again wanted to express my gratitude for your insight and resources shared during our recent ACE sessions. It’s good to hear the perspective of others and of course meet new people! Again thank you, look forward to working with you again!!”
Allison Garner, FCS Ed, CTVI

Career Tech, Oklahoma School for the Blind