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The executive director of the Seeing Hand Association has been picked by Gov. Jim Justice to lend her experience and expertise to a statewide council.
Karen Haught, who has worked at Seeing Hand for the past 11 years, has been appointed to the West Virginia State Rehabilitation Council to serve a three-year term as an advisor to the West Virginia State Division of Rehabilitation Services.
The council's mission is to review, analyze and advise the West Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services regarding its program eligibility, performance and effectiveness in empowering individuals with disabilities to achieve their employment goals.
Haught said she was thrilled to be part of a group that helps make a difference in the lives of the disabled population of West Virginia.
"I am honored and proud to be appointed to the West Virginia State Rehabilitation Council. I look forward to working with the many dedicated council members to help those with disabilities achieve their goals," she said.
Haught joined Seeing Hand in 2012, coming to the nonprofit from a diverse background of business management, teaching, and nonprofit management. Her ongoing mission is to find new projects for the organization and to increase the number of employees and programs.
Since 1936, Seeing Hand has helped blind and visually impaired individuals lead more independent lives through various programs including employment, health and wellness, support group, education and outreach, low vision products and access technology.
Under her direction, Seeing Hand created the Edelman Garden -- named after the family that generously donated an empty lot on historic Wheeling Island. The garden offers blind and visually impaired workers the opportunity to learn how to weed, plant, water, and harvest produce. The garden was designed with an assortment of vertical elements which makes it possible for Seeing Hand gardeners to navigate the green space with ease.
By 2017, Seeing Hand had doubled the size of the garden and had installed braille identification plates.
Seeing Hand also offers a service to refurbish fire extinguishers. This project expands employment opportunities for the blind and visually impaired.