Do you know why blindness is scary? I do and it is not what you think.

It is not traffic, or bustling crowds, or subway platforms, or steep stairs: all those things are intimidating, challenging, and difficult – but they aren’t scary. What scares me most is dependence.

I don’t like depending on anyone. I crave independence like oxygen. It’s vital to me. And losing my independence is the scariest part of blindness to me.

Not seeing my kids is hard – not seeing myself in a mirror is hard, too. But what’s worse are the things I can’t do anymore. For example, using a bank machine.

I went blind after my kids were born. Going blind as an adult is hard for lots of reasons, and one of them is braille. Braille is a whole new language. So, if you’ve tried to learn a language as an adult then you probably understand why I have not learned to read it.

Besides, even if I could, that does not help me with the on-screen cues telling me what to key in.

So, withdrawing cash is not possible for me without help; I lean on my husband to give me money. Of course, he is happy to help – but that’s not the point.

The point is earning money and managing money are fundamental features of membership in our society. Losing that ability – and yes, the new tap features and the shift toward a cashless society are interesting – but losing that chance to simply be in charge of myself: my independence – that’s the scary part.

Blindness Disability independence sight loss

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What I Bring
  • Inclusive Leadership & DEI – practical strategies to build equity and accessibility into culture and operations.
  • Resilience & High Performance – lessons from elite sport to help teams adapt, focus, and excel under pressure.
  • Strategy & Change – proven success leading national initiatives, digital transformation, and organizational growth
  • Accessibility & Design Thinking – advisory support to create environments and services where everyone can succeed. I partner with corporations, nonprofits, and teams who want more than inspiration—organizations ready to embed resilience, inclusion, and performance into how they work every day.

Keynote Title and Description

Have you ever felt nervous or unsure about your environment? Have you ever felt like things were happening around you that you had no control over? How often do you feel like you are missing important information to make a sound decision? Uncertainty, insecurity and lack of control are all at the root of fear. They are also a direct result of change, And they are part of life every single day for someone who is blind. With organizations facing more intense change than ever before, It’s no wonder that job dissatisfaction, disengagement and burn out are on the rise. Together we will redefine what is possible when facing the unknown

Biography

Victoria Nolan is a world champion rower, author, tv personality and advocate for people living with blindness and other disabilities. Vicky went blind when her daughter was born and has since faced the world in the dark. She chooses hope over fear, and embraces uncertainty as a challenge to overcome. Vicky is determined to push limits: she has won 8 medals for Team Canada and competed in four Olympic games. Now pursuing her MBA at Queens University, she also serves as national manager for one of Canada’s largest non -profit organizations. Victoria's story is one of resilience, tough choices and inspiring others to overcome life’s challenges.