Cynthia Speight is the Director of DHHS’ Division of Services for the Blind. Speight is passionate about DSB’s mission to provide high-quality services that help blind, visually impaired and deaf-blind individuals achieve their employment and independent living goals.
Speight started her career with the Division in 2000 as an Independent Living Rehabilitation Program Specialist, focusing her efforts on program enhancements and service expansion.
In September 2009, Speight was promoted to the Chief of Rehabilitation Programs and Field Services, serving in that role until October 2012, when she was promoted to Assistant Director. She was appointed Division Director in March 2017 and since then has been dedicated to expanding opportunities for consumers and effectively partnering with the division’s stakeholders and associations.
Her work with individuals who are blind, visually impaired and deaf-blind began with the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. While at DBVI, Speight was also Assistant Regional Manager and Regional Manager of the Fairfax Regional Office.
Speight received both her Master of Science in rehabilitation counseling and Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.