How EyeSpy.org Is Building a Digital Hub for the Blind and Low Vision Community

Thank You, Choroideremia Research Foundation

Last week, Eye Spy Foundation Founder and CEO Nick Menler joined the Choroideremia Research Foundation (CRF) for a webinar on building a more connected, accessible digital future for the blind and low vision community. We're grateful to Beth Foss and the CRF team for the invitation, and to board chair Meredith Mason for jumping in with her own perspective as a guide dog handler and longtime advocate.

The response since the session has been fantastic — we've already had three new organizations reach out to connect with us as a direct result of the conversation.

What Is EyeSpy.org?

At the center of the presentation was EyeSpy.org, which Nick describes as a "discovery engine" for the blind and low vision community. Rather than leaving people to piece together scattered resources on their own, EyeSpy.org brings together more than 1,000 programs, services, events, news, podcasts, and videos in a single, searchable hub.

The platform is organized around two core ideas: life and lens. "Life" is about understanding who a visitor is and what role they play — whether they're personally affected by vision loss, supporting a loved one, or working professionally in the space. "Lens" speaks to the specific eye condition and its practical realities. Together, these ideas shape how EyeSpy.org helps people find what's actually relevant to them.

That approach extends to who EyeSpy Foundation serves — what the team calls the three A's: Affected individuals, Advocates, and Academics. It's a recognition that the blind and low vision community includes far more than those with a diagnosis, and that building good resources means listening to everyone with a stake in the outcome.

A Story of Real Impact: Eric's Navigation

Nick shared the story of Eric, who connected with an Eye Spy navigator after moving to Jacksonville. Through that connection, Eric was linked to an adaptive sports program, a retinal specialist, and potential job opportunities with local organizations — a concrete example of what happens when scattered local resources are brought together in one place.

Q&A Highlights: Expansion, Advocacy, and Everyday Tools

The second half of the session opened up to audience questions, and a few themes stood out:

• Expansion into Canada: Attendees asked whether EyeSpy.org's resource database might extend beyond the U.S. Nick confirmed that international expansion — starting with Canada — is part of the roadmap, and that connections made at recent conferences like the Foundation Fighting Blindness Vision Conference are already helping build those relationships.
• Accessibility in tech: With a 20-plus year background in technology, Nick spoke to EyeSpy Foundation's role in advocating for better digital accessibility, and the importance of pairing trustworthy information with genuine lived experience.
• Everyday assistive tools: Board chair Meredith Mason, a guide dog handler who travels independently across the country, shared how she layers multiple tools into her daily life — from Meta AI and Siri to Seeing AI and pedestrian-signal apps — and encouraged attendees to keep sharing what works for them so the broader community can learn from it.

Watch the Full Webinar

Learn More

Whether you're living with vision loss, supporting a loved one, or a healthcare or community professional looking for trusted resources, EyeSpy.org is built to help you find your way.

Learn more about the Eye Spy Foundation.

Learn more about the Choroideremia Research Foundation.