- Client Services
Independence is closer than you think.
Personalized training, assistive technology, and steady community support — built around you, your family, and the life you want to live.
- What We Offer
Services designed around your life
Choose where you’d like to start. Our team will help you build the right combination.
Independent Living
Daily-living skills training that builds confidence at home and in the community.
Assistive Technology
Modern tools — from screen readers to magnifiers — matched to your goals.
Orientation & Mobility
Travel safely and confidently with cane training and route planning.
Employment Services
Career exploration, job readiness, and workplace accommodations.
Vision Rehabilitation
Adapt to vision changes with personalized support and coaching.
Youth Programs
Summer experiences and mentorship that prepare young people to thrive.
Low Vision Store
Try and purchase the tools that make everyday tasks easier.
Counseling & Support
A listening ear and a steady hand for individuals and families.
- Our Commitment
Accessibility is the starting point — not the finish line
Every program is designed around the people it serves. We meet you where you are with patience, dignity, and tools that fit your goals.
- Voices from the community
Stories of Independence
Every time my mother and I visit this place, we are warmly welcomed, put at ease, and helped with any questions or products we might have regarding vision struggles. These people are sincere and so helpful. What a blessing they are!
My husband is legally blind and whenever we need any kind of supplies for his eyes in anyway they r who we go to! If they don’t have it I bet they can order it! Great group of people! Kind friendly down to earth and good at helping! Thanks guys! We will be seeing u again!
Amazing place!!! Very helpful staff and just a wealth of good knowledge for helping people who are blind or have impaired vision. Also it was so much easier than we thought it would ever be. We were thinking more doctors and tests but it was just in and out with what help we needed. Definitely recommend here if you have any vision problems and you want to see better for reading. Thanks!!!
Meet Our Team
Alicia Lansford
Vice President/Chief Mission Officer
Alicia has been with East Texas Lighthouse since 2014 and served in various leadership roles. With a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, she is a critical thinker, problem solver and advocate. She is a proven leader who specializes in customer and client service. She is passionate about the work of East Texas Lighthouse to empower the blind on multiple fronts. Alicia also enjoys volunteering at animal rescues and coaching local church sports teams.
Amy Anderson
Director of Client Services
Amy has been with East Lighthouse since 2015 and served in the field of office administration for 10 years. Her experience in customer service, medical billing, and marketing make her a dynamic asset to our team. Amy most enjoys making a difference in the lives of those who are new to losing their sight and providing them with the training and resources to maintain their independence. She says meeting new and amazing people every day is the best part of the job. In her spare time, Amy enjoys reading, being active in her church, and spending quality time with her family.
Shirley Gee
Direct Services Coordinator
Shirley is responsible for the day-to-day management of clients. Shirley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Community Health Worker License from Jarvis Christian College. Shirley has more than 10 years of case management experience, working with agencies in the East Texas area. She takes pride in building a positive rapport with her clients and especially enjoys working with individuals to overcome challenges to become fully independent. When not working, Shirley enjoys karaoke with friends, going to church, and being involved in her two sons’ sports activities.
Brittney Walters
Assistive Technology Instructor
Brittney joined The Lighthouse team in early 2020 as an Apprentice for the Technology Department and now serves as the Assistive Technology Instructor. Brittney graduated with a Bachelor’s in History from UT Tyler with a minor in Education and has extensive knowledge of adaptive technology used by the blind and visually impaired. She holds certifications in both JAWS and ZoomText and instructs all of our professional development in technology courses. Brittney enjoys teaching students and thrives on increasing her knowledge to better teach and empower the blind and visually impaired. In her spare time, Brittney enjoys being with family and spending time with her dog, Holly.
Megan Aragon
Program Manager | Assistive Technology Training & Curriculum
Megan holds an MBA with a certification in Organization Development and Leadership. She has more than 10 years of experience in program development working with national level blind advocacy organizations and partners. Megan is Microsoft Office Master and ZoomText certified and instructs all professional development in technology courses we offer. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two children.
Meagan Brooks
Store and Office Manager
Meagan joined East Texas Lighthouse in 2023, bringing more than 15 years of business management, customer service, and teaching experience. She has served on six international mission trips to Malawi, Africa, and coordinates children’s programs at her church. A passionate advocate for victims of trafficking and domestic violence, Meagan is excited to offer encouragement and hope through her work at The Lighthouse. Outside of work, she enjoys worship concerts and spending time with her family, dogs, and chickens.
Mary "MK" Kahrhoff
Program Manager | Education to Employment
MK joined East Texas Lighthouse in 2023 and brings more than 15 years of disability services and advocacy experience. After five years as a special educator, she transitioned into disability legal advocacy, and later, higher education disability services. She is excited to join the East Texas Lighthouse Client Services team and for the opportunity to help empower clients to achieve their education and employment goals. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her three rescue dogs.
Julie Henry
Orientation & Mobility Specialist
Julie has a bachelor’s degree in middle school education and a master’s degree in professional school counseling. She worked as a teacher, a school counselor, and an administrator for 20 years. She raised puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind for several years. Through this experience, she discovered orientation and mobility through the friends she met working with dog guide handlers. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University to become a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting and working her therapy dog.
Jenny Wood
Assistive Technology Instructor
Jenny brings over 10 years of experience in customer service, technical support, and quality control to the East Texas Lighthouse. Prior to joining our team, she demonstrated assistive technology for donors and clients at Envision Dallas. Through her personal journey with vision loss, she’s developed a passion for combining her love of technology with a heart for helping others rediscover independence. In her free time, Jenny enjoys music, reading, long walks, amateur radio, and spending time with her guide dog, Kylo. She’s been married for 23 years and has two college-aged children.
Lannette Burlingame
Program Manager | Expanded Core Curriculum & Independent Living
Lannette brings over 30 years of experience in education to the East Texas Lighthouse. After 22 years as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher, she earned her master’s degree in Special Education with a focus on visual impairments. She later served as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments and a VI Specialist at Region 7 ESC. Lannette first connected with East Texas Lighthouse in 2015 and has valued their partnership and support ever since. She’s passionate about helping children and families thrive. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, volunteering with her church, and serving on the boards of two orphan-care ministries.
Stephen Kohlhaas
Contract Services Coordinator
Stephen serves as the Contract Services Coordinator, managing client contracts and ensuring compliance with Texas Workforce Commission guidelines. He brings a versatile background in project controls, contract management, and regulatory compliance. Stephen is passionate about supporting individuals with visual impairments as they work toward greater independence, and he finds fulfillment in helping clients build confidence and achieve their goals. Originally from North Carolina, he has lived in East Texas most of his life and now calls Tyler home. Outside of work, Stephen enjoys spending time with his wife and friends and serving in his church community.
Antoinette Cervantes
Activities of Daily Living Instructor
Antoinette’s passion for teaching began after running her own café through the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program. She loves helping clients build confidence and independence, which inspired her to join the East Texas Lighthouse and continue pursuing her O&M certification and a master’s in special education. Antoinette values being part of a supportive Client Services team and enjoys contributing to new programs and projects. Outside of work, she stays active with Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Inc., supports the American Council of the Blind of Texas, and loves baking and watching movies.
Jeffree Hill
Low Vision Store Associate
Jeffree brings more than 10 years of experience in customer service and retail operations. Throughout his career, he has built strong client relationships and developed a reputation for effective problem-solving, de-escalation, and operational management. Prior to joining East Texas Lighthouse, he served as a Front Desk Manager at a large-scale resort, where he managed guest relations and oversaw a 500-square-foot marketplace.
Drawn to the organization’s mission and opportunity for personal and professional growth, Jeffree is passionate about making a positive impact in the community and contributing to the meaningful work ETLB provides. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, playing video games, and hanging out with his pitbull. His personal motto is, “Excellence is not an act, it’s a habit.” — Aristotle