Jacksonville Vision Connection
Saturday, February 21, 2026, 11:30 a.m. (EST)
Location
University of Florida at Jacksonville Banquet Room (Tower 2, 10th Floor)
580 West 8th Street
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Join the Foundation Fighting Blindness, in collaboration with the First Coast Family Coalition, for an enriching gathering tailored for the blind and low-vision community. This is a unique opportunity to connect with the Jacksonville chapter and hear from a leading authority on retinal health.
Meet our speakers:
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Sandeep Grover, MD
Dr. Grover is the Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at UF Health Jacksonville. A world-renowned medical retina specialist with over 30 years of experience, he is at the forefront of ophthalmic innovation. In 2005, Dr. Grover established Jacksonville’s first specialized clinic for Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs), serving patients across Florida and Georgia. As the Principal Investigator for 18 active clinical trials, he is developing next-generation treatments—including gene therapy—for Retinitis Pigmentosa, Stargardt Disease, LCA, AMD, and Diabetic Retinopathy. Community Advocate - Emily Townsend, PT, DPT
Dr. Emily Townsend, PT, DPT, is the first blind Doctor of Physical Therapy in the United States. A specialist in gait, balance, and mobility for people with low vision and blindness, she also has extensive experience in pediatric physical therapy. Dr. Townsend is a nationally and internationally recognized speaker and a dedicated advocate for healthcare equity for people with disabilities. She serves as Vice President of the Jacksonville chapter of the Foundation Fighting Blindness and leads ADAPT LV, a Brooks Rehabilitation program focused on improving safety, mobility, and independence for individuals who are blind or have low vision. Dr. Townsend is deeply committed to empowering the blind and low-vision community to move with confidence at all stages of life. - Additional Speakers: Three individuals living with retinal diseases will share their experiences and insights on advocacy at an upcoming event. Adriann Keve, Chapter President; Dr. Emily Townsend, Chapter Vice President; and Jose Morales, Development Director at CIL Jacksonville, will highlight the many ways advocacy can empower people to navigate challenges, influence change, and strengthen their communities.
For more information, please reach out to Cassandra Fridovich at CFridovich@FightingBlindness.org.
