Natalia Kelly
Co-Founder and Orthoptist
Natalia is an Orthoptist with over 15 years of experience. She established Vision Matters, a private practice, which offers innovative and specialised low vision services.
Natalia has a special interest and also extensive experience in assessing and providing intervention to children and adults with neurological impairment including those with cerebral vision impairment, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and acquired brain injury.
Over the last 10 years, Natalia has advocated for individuals with CVI through education. As such, she has been called upon as a subject matter expert to provide professional development, clinical supervision and mentoring to various allied health disciplines and educators in Victoria, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Western Australia.
Natalia is also a lecturer at LaTrobe University. She has established CVI as part of the Orthoptic course curriculum in Victoria. She teaches students evidence-based fundamental concepts of CVI including how to conduct a visual functional and functional vision assessment of individuals with CVI. Orthoptic students also develop skills required to work collaboratively with people with CVI, their families and other disciplines to ensure a holistic approach to CVI care.
Natalia is actively involved in low vision research. She has published her work and regularly presents at national and international conferences.
Natalia is currently completing a graduate research degree. She loves playing with her children and embarking on new travel adventures with her family and friends.
Dr Bronwen Scott
Co-Founder and Orientation and Mobility Specialist
Dr Bronwen Scott has over 30 years experience in the provision of Orientation and Mobility (O&M) services to adults and children in Australia and the United Kingdom, and is a specialist in provision of early intervention O&M services to young children. Bronwen runs Independent Pathways: Orientation & Mobility and CVI Solutions in Melbourne.
Bronwen is experienced in working with children with Cortical Vision Impairment and has completed training in the CVI Range Assessment tool through Perkins School for the Blind. She completed her Doctor of Education in Early Intervention (O&M) through the University of Sydney and her Master of Education (Special Education) through Charles Sturt University.
Staying at the forefront of her profession, Bronwen holds many professional memberships including:
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Orientation and Mobility Association of Australasia (OMAA)
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South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (SPEVI)
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International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI)
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Early Childhood Australia (ECA)
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Early Childhood Intervention Australia (ECIA)
Bronwen is well-published and frequently presents on both O&M and CVI to the wider heath community. She is the current Editor of the Journal of the South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (JSPEVI).
In her spare time, Bronwen is a keen reader, gardener and musician (particularly drumming) and has travelled the world to engage in music and culture.
Heidi Zec
Co-Founder and Parent
Heidi Zec is a parent of two young children, one with CVI.
Heidi's current focus is on caring for her family and learning more about CVI. She has a keen interest in presenting and speaking to others about her experience with CVI and how early intervention can help children reach their full potential. She is also passionate about connecting with others in the wider health profession, both in Australia and overseas, to extend the collective understanding of CVI.
Heidi worked for over 10 years in strategy and communications for both a major bank and retailer. She was an executive member of a medico-legal company, managing multiple operations teams and implementing and international certification (ISO) across Quality, Information Security and Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. She continues working in an advisory capacity and is also qualified as an Australian Lawyer.
Heidi enjoys spending time with her husband, two young children and lots of pets. Her favourite things include travel, cooking, gardening and music, and exploring how these activities positively impact her childrens' wellbeing and development.
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Laura Garcia
Co-Founder and Parent
Laura Garcia is a parent of two children, one with CVI.
Laura has been a strong advocate for CVI education since her daughter’s vision loss in 2013. Navigating the CVI journey with little direct support, Laura was keen to educate others about CVI and has presented her story to various organizations including the QLD Paediatric Rehabilitation Service and South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment (SPEVI).
Laura has worked in market research for over 15 years, contributing to her resourcefulness in searching for CVI information globally and speaking to leading CVI specialists. Currently, Laura works in Social Media and is also author of her own blog, Adventures in Neuroplasticity, where she discusses her successes and challenges with various intervention CVI strategies.
Laura loves reading and together with her husband and children, love the beach, travelling and spending time in the kitchen where her two children enjoy practicing their cooking (and taste-testing) skills.