Thomas B. Perski, M.A. senior vice president/rehabilitation services is responsible for overseeing several programs including the VA Program and the Consumer Products Store. His expertise will lead an expansion of services and sales through a new catalog and e-commerce web site of technology and independent living aids and other programs that will integrate with the Low Vision Rehabilitation Service and the Adaptive Technology Department.

Tom has been a pioneer in the field of low vision for over 25 years.  He began many low vision support groups beginning in 1982 in Chicago while working as a family therapist.  He held several positions at the Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation including Director of Counseling from 1987 to 1994.  He was instrumental in working with other agencies for the blind to help begin such programs as the Seeing Is Believing children's low vision program and the Discovery Low Vision Conference.

Tom was Founder and Executive Director of Macular Degeneration International from 1994 to 2004.  He published an extensive News Journal for patients and families with both age-related and juvenile forms of macular degeneration.  He also held seminars for consumers and families throughout the US.

Tom began losing his vision to Stargardt Macular Dystrophy while in college, giving up his hopes for a career as a commercial artist and giving up playing basketball and driving a car.  He later returned to college as a legally blind student where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Family and Community Counseling both from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.

Tom has been featured as a speaker at over 85 professional conferences including the American Optometric Association, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the AER International conference.

Tom's volunteer efforts include many board positions including Board President of the Tucson Association for the Blind, Arizona AER board member and he received the Margaret Blum Award for outstanding service to the blind in Arizona for 2003.  He and his wife Diane, also a Lighthouse employee, were founders and owners of Southwest Low Vision, Inc. for twelve years providing service and technology for the low vision community throughout Arizona and New Mexico. They have three adult children and five grandchildren.