Ana Leffel
Skokie,IL
Summary
Bilingual Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) and Low Vision Therapist (CLVT) with 18 years of international experience in assisting individuals with visual impairments. Specializes in educational instruction, artificial vision rehabilitation, and community integration. Recognized for contributions to instruction in visual prosthetics and mobility training.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
North Suburban Special Education Organization
Mount Prospect, IL
08.2024 - Current
- Conduct comprehensive orientation and mobility assessments for K-12 students.
- Develop and implement individualized instructional plans tailored to each student's needs.
- Teach travel skills in indoor and outdoor environments, including street crossings, the use of public transportation, and navigation using mobility aids (e.g., white cane).
- Collaborate with Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVIs), special education staff, general education teachers, and families to support student learning and independence.
- Participate in IEP meetings, and contribute to the development of student goals.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation in compliance with school and legal standards.
- Organize and lead community-based educational experiences to enhance and challenge students' orientation and mobility (O&M) skills, and conceptual understanding.
- Provide training and consultation to school staff and students' family members on mobility-related accommodations and safety.
- Provide student instruction and communication with parents in English, or Spanish.
Artificial Vision Training Consultant and Patient Advocate
Second Sight Medical Products
Sylmar, CA
09.2020 - Current
- Collaborate in the creation and dissemination of a Patient Preference Investigational Survey requested by the FDA.
- Provide remote follow-up support to Argus II medical accounts in the Middle East, Europe, Canada, and the U.S.
- Serve as a subject matter expert for individuals with visual impairments regarding technology usage, accessibility features, and product ease of use..
Artificial Vision Training Consultant
Pixium Vision/La Science Corp.
Paris, France
08.2020 - Current
- Administered various psychophysics and vision tests to measure visual acuity and reading acuity as part of the PRIMA clinical study.
- Completed lens optimization and customization of the subject's glasses and Pocket Processor in preparation for home use.
- Familiarized the study subject and caregiver with the operation and maintenance of the pocket processor.
- Provided semi-monthly, local vision training sessions in the subject’s community.
- Taught the study subject the correct usage of the device’s camera and pocket processor to locate, identify, and modify a visual image to maximize visual acuity.
- Collaborated in a multidisciplinary team, revising the Rehabilitation Training Handbook.
- Conducted an orthoptic assessment and visual rehabilitation training program for the PRIMA study subject.
Senior Artificial Vision Rehabilitation Manager, U.S.
Second Sight Medical Products
Sylmar, CA
01.2017 - 04.2020
- Provided in-home training and support to over 100 adults using a prosthetic vision device (Argus II and Orion) in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, teaching the integration of artificial vision into daily living activities.
- Trained clinical staff in the administration of Post-Approval Study endpoint testing procedures.
- Served as the primary liaison and support to vitreoretinal surgeons, optometrists, vision therapists, and researchers nationwide, providing updates, software training, device troubleshooting, and support.
- Completed yearly Good Clinical Practices (GCP) training.
- Established relationships with over 20 nonprofit, state, and government-run blindness agencies, as well as medical centers nationwide, educating them about the Argus II retinal prosthesis.
- Collaborated in redesigning the Functional Low Vision Observer-Rated Assessment (FLORA) tool, intended as a primary endpoint for clinical study purposes.
- Trained over 60 blindness rehabilitation professionals worldwide in providing artificial vision therapy to persons with a retinal or cortical visual prosthesis.
- Created an artificial vision assessment and customized training program for all English- and Spanish-speaking patients, to ensure real-world usage and benefit of the device.
- Monitored daily performance and patient outcomes to maintain quality assurance.
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist; Certified Low Vision Specialist
The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Chicago, IL
05.2013 - 01.2017
- Provided home- and community-based O&M training to Spanish- and English-speaking children, adults, and seniors who are blind or visually impaired in the usage of the long cane throughout the Chicagoland area.
- Provided outreach, education, and follow-up support to clients' family members and friends.
- Taught 10 students, ages 3-22, in the Waukegan School District O&M skills.
- Created and updated IEPs, and conducted Orientation and Mobility assessments to determine students' need for O&M services.
- Collaborated in interdisciplinary teams in the Waukegan School District to maximize functional outcomes and students' success in O&M.
- Completed a master’s level certification in Early Intervention, providing vision assessments and therapy for infants and children 3 years of age and younger.
- Instructed clients in the use of assistive technologies and optical devices, including monoculars, video magnifiers, OCR screen readers, GPS apps for the blind, and accessibility features in Apple products, to encourage independence.
- Advocated for clients' rights and access to transportation services.
Blindness Rehabilitation Specialist
Louis Stokes Cleveland Blind Rehab Center
Cleveland, OH
04.2012 - 12.2013
- Assessed and developed lesson plans for veterans in independent travel using a long cane or guide dog.
- Educated veterans and family members about their visual diagnosis, and its impact on activities of daily living and independent travel.
- Instructed veterans in the use of assistive technology, including GPS devices.
- Collaborated with the Medical Media team in the design and installation of a tactile map of the hospital for veterans who are blind or have low vision.
Technical Career Field Intern in Blindness Rehabilitation
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital
Hines, IL
09.2010 - 04.2012
- Instructed blind and low vision veterans in using the long white cane to promote independent, safe, and efficient travel
- Administered functional low vision assessments and trained veterans in the practical use of prescribed optical devices.
- Provided instruction to veterans who are visually impaired in the use of assistive technologies for the blind.
- I contributed to the VA Medical Center Service Dog Taskforce, creating and implementing criteria for the admittance of service dogs on hospital grounds.
Certified Guide Dog Mobility Instructor
Leader Dogs for the Blind
Rochester, MI
04.2006 - 08.2010
- Completed a 3-year Guide Dog Mobility Instructor apprenticeship at an International Guide Dog Federation-approved school.
- Trained Spanish- and English-speaking visually impaired students how to travel independently with their new guide dog during a residential training program.
- Provided follow-up support services to students, both in-person and remotely.
- Presented 60-minute nightly lectures to dog guide students on the maintenance, health, and handling techniques.
Education
Master's Certification - Early Intervention
Illinois State University
Normal, IL07.2016
M.S. - Orientation and Mobility
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI12.2010
B.A. - International and Global Studies, Spanish
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI12.2005
Skills
- ACVREP certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS)
- ACVREP certified low vision therapist (CLVT)
- Guide Dog Mobility Instructor (GDMI) designation by the International Guide Dog Federation
- Fluent Spanish speaker, intermediate Italian proficiency
- Marathon guide for Achilles International for runners who are blind
References
References available upon request.
Publications
Flourence, M., [and 12 others, including Leffel, A.] (2023). The Use of Dog Guides for Orientation and Mobility by Individuals With the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis: A Case Series. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 117(5), 375-379. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145482X231205581
Timeline
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
North Suburban Special Education Organization
08.2024 - Current
Artificial Vision Training Consultant and Patient Advocate
Second Sight Medical Products
09.2020 - Current
Artificial Vision Training Consultant
Pixium Vision/La Science Corp.
08.2020 - Current
Senior Artificial Vision Rehabilitation Manager, U.S.
Second Sight Medical Products
01.2017 - 04.2020
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist; Certified Low Vision Specialist
The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
05.2013 - 01.2017
Blindness Rehabilitation Specialist
Louis Stokes Cleveland Blind Rehab Center
04.2012 - 12.2013
Technical Career Field Intern in Blindness Rehabilitation
Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital
09.2010 - 04.2012
Certified Guide Dog Mobility Instructor
Leader Dogs for the Blind
04.2006 - 08.2010
Master's Certification - Early Intervention
Illinois State University
M.S. - Orientation and Mobility
Western Michigan University
B.A. - International and Global Studies, Spanish
Michigan State University
Similar Profiles
Linda SybrantLinda Sybrant
ESP/Paraprofessional Educator at Northwest Suburban Special Education OrganizationESP/Paraprofessional Educator at Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization
Megan TarpinianMegan Tarpinian
Sign Language Interpreter at Northwest Suburban Special Education OrganizationSign Language Interpreter at Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization
Natalie ThomasNatalie Thomas
Events Manager at North Florida School of Special EducationEvents Manager at North Florida School of Special Education
ABID ALHASHMIABID ALHASHMI
Real Estate Agent at Hudson BurnhamReal Estate Agent at Hudson Burnham
Vanshika ChananaVanshika Chanana
Teaching Assistant at University of Illinois, Urbana-ChampaignTeaching Assistant at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign