Pathways to Disability Empowerment: Monthly Career Development & Exploration Webinar

Are you ready to make a lasting first impression? An elevator pitch for blind jobseekers is one of the most powerful tools to introduce yourself with confidence. In just 30–60 seconds, you can highlight your skills, values, and career goals in a way that resonates with employers, recruiters, and professional connections.

As part of Pathways to Disability Empowerment, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is offering a career development webinar designed specifically for job seekers who are blind, low vision, DeafBlind, or blind with other disabilities. This hands-on session will walk you through the process of creating a compelling elevator pitch tailored to your unique strengths and career aspirations.

What You’ll Learn

  • The structure of an effective elevator pitch
  • How to highlight your skills, knowledge, and values
  • Tips to confidently present yourself in interviews and networking events
  • Practical steps to craft and deliver your own introductory statement

By the end of the session, you’ll have a personalized elevator pitch that reflects who you are and what you bring to the table.

Webinar Details

  • Format: On-Demand (accessible anytime)
  • Accessibility: ASL interpreters provided

Meet the Presenters

Cheryl Cumings
Workforce Development Manager at The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. Cheryl supports employees who are blind, DeafBlind, or blind with other disabilities in exploring career growth opportunities. She brings extensive experience in community outreach, health care policy, and blindness services, along with her background as a Peace Corps volunteer and nonprofit founder.

Sara Freeman-Smith
With more than 25 years of recruiting leadership experience, Sara is a career navigator, disability advocate, and inspirational author. She is active in the disability community through multiple organizations and is the author of Turning Stones into Gems, a guide to finding purpose in life and career.

Get Started

Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your career development skills. Watch the on-demand webinar, available now, and learn how to confidently introduce yourself in any professional setting.

For questions or additional information, please contact us.

Edited Transcript: Pathways to Disability Empowerment — Introduce Yourself with Impact

Topic: How to craft and deliver a compelling 30–60 second elevator pitch for job seekers who are blind, low vision, DeafBlind, or blind with other disabilities.
Presenters: Cheryl Cumings (Workforce Development Manager, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.) and Sara Freeman-Smith (retired executive recruiter and author).

Introduction

This on-demand career webinar is part of a monthly series from The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. The series provides practical tools for career exploration and development, including resume writing, assistive technology in job search, interviewing, networking, and self-employment. ASL interpreters and captions are provided. Recordings are available on The Lighthouse’s YouTube channel.

What an Elevator Pitch Is (and Why It Matters)

An elevator pitch is a brief introduction—about 30 to 60 seconds—that communicates:

  • Who you are

  • The value you bring

  • The impact you can make

Originally popularized as quick movie ideas pitched in elevators, the concept now helps job seekers and networkers clearly explain their value. Don’t limit your pitch to formal interviews; use it in everyday networking moments—at community events, doctor’s offices, kids’ games, classes, and conferences.

Key idea: Listeners are tuned to “What’s in it for me?” Your pitch should make it easy for them to see how you can add value.

The Four Parts of a Strong Elevator Pitch

  1. Who you are — Brief greeting and your name.

  2. What you do / your strengths — Education, skills, experience, and strengths relevant to the listener.

  3. What you want — The role or outcome you’re seeking (job, meeting, collaboration, etc.).

  4. Call to action — Suggest a clear next step (exchange contact info, schedule a time, continue the conversation).

How to Prepare

  • List your top 3 strengths/skills/qualities relevant to the jobs you want.

  • Align with the job posting (e.g., fast-paced, team-oriented, strong communication, customer-facing).

  • Summarize experience (years, industries, settings). If you’re new, explain why you’re entering the field.

  • Research the organization/industry and weave in a detail to show fit.

  • Be specific about what you want (full-time, part-time, internship, substitute, volunteer to get experience).

  • Practice—write it, say it aloud, record yourself, refine until it feels natural and concise.

Example 1: Receptionist (Revision Demonstration)

Weak version (for context):
“Hi, I’m Cheryl. I’ve worked part-time as a receptionist for five years and want a full-time role. I’m good and would love to work for you.”

Improved version:
“Hi, I’m Cheryl. I have five years of experience at a busy law firm, managing front-desk operations, scheduling, and creating a welcoming client experience. I’m seeking a full-time receptionist role where I can apply my dependability, organization, and interpersonal skills to help your team serve clients smoothly. Could we schedule time to talk about your current openings?”

Why this works: It adds industry context, concrete responsibilities, strengths tied to the job, value to the employer, and a clear call to action.

Example 2: New Graduate TVI (Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments)

Improved version:
“Hi, I’m Susan. I recently earned my master’s in teaching students with visual impairments. Through three classroom apprenticeships, I applied what I learned and was recognized for quickly connecting with students—supporting both academics and daily life skills. I’m passionate about inclusive classrooms where all students thrive. I’d love to speak with you about joining your teaching staff—full-time if available, and I’m also open to substitute or floating roles. Can we schedule a time to talk?”

Why this works: It highlights education, hands-on practice, strengths, inclusive values, flexibility on role type, and a call to action.

Practical Tips

  • Be concise: 30–60 seconds is enough. Aim to spark follow-up questions, not tell your life story.

  • Customize: Tailor examples and language to the person, organization, and setting.

  • Be truthful: Don’t exaggerate; be ready with brief examples to back up claims (e.g., “managed front desk for 50 employees and high-volume calls”).

  • Use everyday opportunities: Conferences, meals, tours, community events—any setting can be a chance to share your pitch.

  • Deliver with energy and clarity: Keep the language simple and natural.

Interview Close Variant

If you’re already in an interview, end with:
“I’m excited about the impact I can make here. By the end of this conversation, I hope to be a candidate you’ll move forward in the process.”

Key Takeaways

  • Keep it brief, relevant, and impact-oriented.

  • Connect your skills and experience to the organization’s needs.

  • Always end with a clear next step.

  • Prepare, practice, and personalize for each situation.

Closing

Thank you for participating. We hope these strategies help you build a confident, effective elevator pitch and move closer to your career goals. For future sessions and resources, watch for announcements from The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. For questions, contact Workforcedevelopment@lhblind.org.