The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is pleased to introduce two new staff members of the department’s leadership team. Both have previous connections to the department and both return with impressive credentials and accomplishments.

On September 27, 2013, Kimberley Barber returned to IDB as the new Independent Living Program Supervisor. No stranger to the department, Kimberley was employed as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with IDB from 2005 to 2007. Her work with the agency allowed multiple clients to secure gainful employment and increase their level of independence. From 2007, Kimberley was employed as a Program Planner 2-Business Development Specialist for the ISE Program with Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services where she delivered direct services to help many clients establish successful self-employment ventures. She has a BA degree in Human Resource Management from William Penn College in 1988 and earned a Master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation counseling from Drake University in May of 1996. She also has a certification from Northern Illinois University through their DeafBlind program. Kimberley continues her life-long journey of learning and just finished her Chronic Disease and Self-Management certification through Stanford University. In addition to providing outstanding service to the citizens of Iowa, Kimberley has a wealth of experience delivering comprehensive services to rehabilitation clients in the private sector. Her work has also included international business training and consulting in Africa where she assisted women to achieve self-sufficiency and independence through self-employment opportunities. In 1999, she was presented with a Presidential Award for Excellence in Microenterprise Development from then President William Clinton for her contributions toward poverty alleviation.

Emily Wharton began her employment with IDB as the new Technology Director on October 28. IDB veterans may remember Emily because she graduated from our Orientation Center in 1998. Emily earned her BA in English from Drake University in 1997 and her Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Hamline University in 2005. She has earned national certifications in Literary Braille and Orientation and Mobility. Since 1998, Emily has worked at BLIND, Incorporated in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has been leading that organization’s technology unit since 2002. During her Tenure with Blind, Inc. Emily developed award winning curriculums for Braille and Assistive Technology, managed the purchasing of computers and adaptive equipment, provided direction to technology instructors, served as the center’s accessibility expert, and managed information technology services. In recognition of her work in developing a new method for adults to learn Braille, Emily received the 2012 Touch of Genius Prize for Innovation from the National Braille Press. The following year, she was presented with the 2013 Jacob Bolotin Award by the National Federation of the Blind for her outstanding contribution to Braille Literacy.

We welcome both Kimberley and Emily back to the agency.