Tina Aldridge has lived with blindness for 25 years. Diagnosed with Stargardt Disease, which causes progressive vision loss, as a young single mother, Ms. Aldridge knew nothing about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), The Rehabilitation Act, functional limitations, or reasonable accommodations. She struggled to maintain her job and independence. Her vision loss took away her ability to drive and created far-reaching social and economic consequences. Ms. Aldridge knew things needed to change, for herself and for others with disabilities.
Fueled by her personal experience and struggle for access, Ms. Aldridge has built a professional career in disability advocacy and public service, becoming a national leader in accessibility. She has worked in state and federal vocational rehabilitation in Georgia and Washington, D.C., serving marginalized populations including veterans and those incarcerated. She has advocated with higher education institution to improve access for students with disabilities, county library systems to provide appropriate accessible technology, and federal employers to implement legally required safety measures for people with disabilities.
Through her own life and her professional endeavors, Ms. Aldridge maintains her primary focus – to improve the lives and opportunities for people with disabilities. Previously, she served on Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s State Rehabilitation Council, ensuring the voices and needs of the state’s disabled community are heard. She continues to work with veterans of all ages to achieve their career goals and accessibility needs.
Ms. Aldridge has also become a sought-after speaker and trainer, educating on topics including diversity, legal rights, adapting to disability, accessing services, and career development. She created and leads E&E Consulting Solutions in the Atlanta area, which focuses on empowering individuals with disabilities in employment and education services. Ms. Aldridge holds a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Georgia State University. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist.