Daniel Kish

Daniel Kish is an American expert in human echolocation and the President of World Access for the Blind (WAFTB), a California-registered nonprofit organization he founded in 2000. WAFTB is dedicated to facilitating "the self-directed achievement of people with all forms of blindness" and increasing public awareness about their strengths and capabilities. Kish has significantly contributed to the field by teaching echolocation techniques, which he refers to as FlashSonar™, to blind individuals and educators globally. He is recognized for his pioneering work in enabling blind people to achieve greater independence through these techniques.

Kish, who had to have his eyes removed before he was 13 months old due to eye cancer, is the first totally blind person to be a legally Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) and to hold a National Blindness Professional Certification (NOMC). He has earned master's degrees in developmental psychology and special education from the University of California Riverside. His educational background and personal experiences have uniquely positioned him to develop and teach adaptive techniques for the blind.

Kish's innovative approach has not only transformed lives but also attracted significant scientific interest. His method has been validated by various scientific studies, including brain-scan research that demonstrates how echoes can activate the visual cortex in the blind. A notable study at the University of Alcalá in Madrid taught ten sighted subjects basic navigation skills using echolocation, analyzing the effectiveness of different sounds. Further MRI scans of Kish and other echolocation experts have helped identify how the brain processes echo information, paralleling visual processing in sighted individuals. His influence and insights continue to inspire and activate audiences worldwide to navigate challenges effectively.