Dan Kelley

Co-Founder · Assistive Technology Specialist · Disability Advocate

  • Dan is standing barefoot in the backyard with the garage visible in the background. He is wearing a teal polo shirt and gray cargo shorts. He is smiling broadly and carrying a black portable speaker on his left shoulder.
  • A family photo of Dan, the 4 kids, and our dog, Stormy. Hayden, Dan, and Shawn stand behind Elli and Jay kneeling in the grass. Elli is petting Stormy and Jay is beside her laughing. Everyone appears happy and relaxed, enjoying a moment together in the yard. There's some grass underfoot and houses in the background behind the fence.
  • Dan with his sons, Shawn and Hayden, stand together outside on a brick walkway. Dan is standing in the center and is dressed in a black suit, white shirt, and a red tie with a gold design. On his left is Shawn wearing light blue jeans, a gray "Washington DC United States Capitol" sweatshirt, and light-colored shoes. Hayden stands on Dan's right wearing a dark blue graduation gown and holding a diploma. The three are standing close together, arms around each other, smiling. In the background, there are trees, brick buildings, and other people walking by.
  • Marie and Dan at Hayden's graduation. Marie, on the left, has long, dark hair, glasses, and a bright red lipstick. She is wearing a plaid-patterned dress. On the right, Dan is wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and a tie which is red and black and has "New Orleans" written on it in flowy script. They are both smiling appearing happy and close together. In the background, there are rows of seats and people sitting, likely at a stadium or arena.
  • Dan is sitting on a bed, smiling while petting Stormy to his left and a holding a black puppy in his right hand. He is wearing a red and black plaid shirt and blue jeans. The puppy has its eyes and ears closed suggesting it is only a few days old. The room has a light-colored wall, a window with natural light coming in, and some personal items like a box of tissues and a water bottle on a small table in the background. There is also a pet crate and some blankets on the bed. The overall mood of the photo is warm and affectionate.
  • Dan stands outdoors touching a raised tactile map display. The sign read "Hogback Ridge Park". The display seems designed for accessibility, possibly for visually impaired visitors, as Dan is using both hands to explore the map. Trees with early spring leaves and some bare branches fill the background, with a curving pathway, grass, and a parked car visible. Dan is wearing a brown jacket and is focused on the map.

I was born in Ohio, spent part of my formative years in Alabama, and returned to Ohio to complete high school. From there, I pursued my passion for education at The Ohio State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Education, along with an endorsement as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired.

My career has been devoted to expanding opportunities and access for individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. I began in Columbus City Schools, later spending 27 years at the Ohio State School for the Blind teaching braille, technology, and coaching athletics. During that time, I was proud to help lead initiatives such as taking students to Washington, D.C. to learn about government firsthand, and guiding the marching band all the way to the Rose Parade. Today, I continue my work in Deafblind Education Services through the Statewide and Outreach Division, while also drawing on more than 35 years of consulting experience in assistive technology, braille, and blindness-related products.

Throughout my career, I have been honored with numerous awards, including the President’s Award from the Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award from the National Federation of the Blind. These recognitions reflect my deep belief that every opportunity to serve is an opportunity to do the best work of your life.

As someone who has been blind since birth, I bring both personal perspective and professional expertise to my work. I have trained countless individuals to use access tools and technology that enhance communication, independence, and inclusion — empowering them to live their fullest lives.

I believe in exploring new possibilities, asking questions, and embracing every chance to learn and grow. My mission is simple: to provide the tools, training, and encouragement that help individuals with disabilities thrive — at school, at work, and in daily life.