Meet David: A Visionary Leader and Lifelong Advocate

Meet David, Executive Director and Founder of Aftersight (formerly the Audio Information Network of Colorado), who retired in 2018. His journey is one of resilience, dedication, and service to the visually impaired community.

Growing up, David faced challenges in school, often memorizing lessons written on the chalkboard because he couldn’t see them clearly. In those days, a diagnosis of blindness often meant attending a special school, but it wasn’t until his sophomore year of college that David learned he was legally blind.

Moving to Iowa proved life-changing—home to the country’s best training program for the blind. With the skills he gained there, David was unstoppable. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in public school administration and special education from the University of Iowa. He then dedicated his career to teaching special education, working for the Agency for the Blind, and even taking on consulting roles and positions with the Office for Civil Rights in Washington, D.C.

In 1992, David founded the Audio Information Network of Colorado (AINC), a volunteer-driven organization providing audio news and information to Colorado’s blind, visually impaired, and print-disabled communities. Now rebranded as Aftersight, the organization continues its impactful work, celebrating over 26 years of service.

Since 2013, David has been a proud Via rider. Known for his sharp wit and engaging conversations, he is highly appreciated by Via drivers. On a recent morning, Rusty, a retired firefighter from Longmont, had the opportunity to drive David to work—just one example of how David’s journey inspires and connects those around him. David also remains actively involved in the community through the Denver Library for the Blind.

“Via is always very reliable and very timely, and the regular drivers and the volunteers are all just really terrific. I think they’re just a great and very dedicated group of people.” – David D.