Melody Furze

Melody is an Education Specialist for the Professional Development and Training team at the Haring Center for Inclusive Education. She received her doctoral degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 2021 and she earned her Master’s in Special Education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Melody also consults as part of the brain-based visual impairment research and development team for the Anchor Center for Blind Children in Denver, Colorado. Prior to moving to Washington state, Melody worked previously at the Perkins School for the Blind, The New Mexico School for the Blind, and school districts in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Washington.

Melody’s work focuses on learning strategies and techniques for children with sensory impairments. Her expertise is program development for young learners with diverse neurological profiles, coaching, consultation, collaboration with early childhood teams, and early intervention and preschool support. She does consultation and research for children with cognitive and developmental impairment, visual processing disorders, and children with severe and complex needs.

Her previous experiences include home visits and early intervention, assessment development for children with multiple impairments, and brain imaging research to practice. The majority of Melody’s work intersects with clinical manifestations of atypical neurological development in early childhood populations and developing learning environments for inclusive practice.

Portrait of Melody Furze smiling against a blue background
  • 7 people stand holding certificates. One person is holding a white cane and another has a dog guide.

    Lighthouse is Awarded 2024 Inspiration Foundation Assistive Technology Grant

    May 16th, 2024

    The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. is pleased to announce that we are a recipient of a 2024 Inspiration Foundation Assistive Technology Grant! The Inspiration Foundation (a family foundation created by Cleanlogic founder and CEO, [...]

  • Close up image of two hands grasping two older, more wrinkled hands.

    Illuminating Lives Together: How Empowering People Supports the Lighthouse

    March 14th, 2024

    At the heart of Spokane, Washington, lies a beacon of hope for the visually impaired - the Lighthouse. One of the reasons our institution stands tall is because of support from organizations like Empowering People. Empowering People: A Catalyst for Change Empowering [...]

  • Ballroom with round tables; in the foreground is a table of attendees. From left to right: Sara Desautel, Bank of America; Gab Decastro; Everett Elam, Computer and Assistive Technology Instructor; Jonathan Dymond Senior Donor Relations Manager; Greg Szabo, Director of Government & Public Relations; Raychel Callary, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist and Volunteer; George Abbott, President and CEO of The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

    Supporting People Who are Blind in the Greater Spokane Community – Opportunities Breakfast

    March 6th, 2024

    Last week, The Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc. hosted our annual Opportunities Breakfast, a transformative morning dedicated to celebrating the lives of individuals who are blind and DeafBlind in the Greater Spokane Community. The [...]