Jon Fisher is passionate about disability and education, and is fortunate to have a job that incorporates both.

Jon works at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind as a transition teacher, assisting 18-21 year olds who are blind.

He teaches his students life skills, like how to interview for a job, create a resume, and find a place to live. He also helps them get set up with social security income if they need it. He assists them with getting ready for going to college or finding a job, as well.

One of the most rewarding parts of the job for Jon is that he’s able to impart his wisdom and life experience to his students.

He’s currently working with his students on overcoming anxiety and the fear that they aren’t ready to handle certain challenges. He’s getting them to a place where they feel comfortable to self advocate and talk about their disabilities, and getting them to feel comfortable in their own skin.

Jon began his career journey with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. When he started out in undergrad, he wanted to be a music teacher, but decided not to pursue it.

He teaches music privately, though. He’s taught students instruments like piano, guitar, voice, ukulele and drums for over 20 years. He also plays and performs music daily, and continues to practice piano and voice.

After deciding not to pursue music education professionally, Jon focused on administrative work. He worked in call centers as well. And for eight years, he worked as a third party contractor for the military, but realized it just wasn’t for him. He wanted to go back to doing something he loved.

That’s when he decided to combine his passions for disability and education.

Jon has a large wealth of knowledge about blind culture and is good at describing things to the blind. So, that led him to finding his current job at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, where he’s been working for almost two years.

In addition to teaching, Jon is studying for his Master’s in SPED-Teacher for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and aims to graduate in 2026 or 2027. After he graduates, he hopes to grow in his current role teaching at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, or possibly find other work/career paths in the field.

Regarding Jon’s journey of interviewing for jobs, he initially hesitated to disclose his Moebius, only because he didn’t want the interviewer to get the idea that he was incapable.

Now, if he feels like it is pertinent to disclose during an interview, he says something like, “I do have a disability, but I don’t feel like it will impact my ability to work for you,” or “I have a disability, and if you want to know more information about it, I’m happy to share”.

He thinks it’s been helpful for interviewers to realize this person does have a disability, they are brave enough to admit it and talk about it comfortably, and that it’s not going to stop them from doing the task they are needing to do.

Jon’s advice for people with Moebius who are navigating the job search/interviewing process is regardless of whether or not you have a disability, just be yourself. Don’t try to pretend you’re someone you’re not. Be comfortable and confident in your own skin, and don’t let your facial difference deter you from doing something great.

Also, when you’re applying for a job, make sure you’re really applying for something you want to do.

Jon’s advice for those with Moebius who have speech difficulties is, if the interviewer is having difficulty understanding them, ask if they can repeat themselves. And, if the interviewer is still struggling to understand them, ask if they can write it down.

Jon also serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors of the Moebius Syndrome Foundation and moderates the Just for Adults with Moebius virtual chats.

He has hosted sessions and performed at talent shows at various Moebius Syndrome Foundation Conferences as well.

At the conference this summer, July 24-27, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Jon will host a new session called “Pop Up Choir.” Participants will learn several pieces of music as a group and then perform the music at the end of the conference.

When he was younger, Jon said he didn’t fully identify with having Moebius. But, once he was in college, he decided to look more into what it meant to be someone with Moebius syndrome and how he could get more involved in the community. He said it was an interesting part of his identity that he wanted to start to embrace.

Moebius affects Jon physically in that he has unilateral facial paralysis, so it only affects one side of his face. His right eye is impacted, so it doesn’t close all the way. His vision was also impacted, so he has 20/70 vision in his right eye.

His balance and depth perception were really affected as well. Because of that, he couldn’t do sports, so he relied on music as an outlet. Music was also impacted, though. He is deaf in his right ear.

When he was younger, he was also slower to reach certain milestones, like crawling, walking, and riding a bicycle. He did achieve those milestones, though. It just took him a little longer.

As a child, Jon knew he was different, but it wasn’t until middle school/high school that he struggled emotionally with navigating living with Moebius. Because of his appearance, he struggled finding anyone to be with romantically.

He also struggled with his weight and his health because he didn’t feel like he valued himself. As an adult, he’s starting to shift that perspective and say that he needs to value himself more and value his health.

Jon debated having smile surgery. His parents were excited about the possibility of the smile surgery, but they let Jon make the decision. He ultimately decided not to have the surgery because he felt he’d be okay living with his half smile.

Jon’s advice to younger kids with Moebius is to be yourself. Be comfortable in your own skin. Don’t let your disability stop you from doing the things you want to do.

For teens with Moebius, Jon says to be confident. Be prepared to take on the world and play to your strengths. Do the things you love, and that will lead to something great. Don’t ever let your disability stop you.

Also, if you’re struggling with living life with a disability, it’s okay to reach out and ask for help from parents, teachers or counselors. There is no shame in seeking help and getting that support system. Jon sought out that extra help when he got bullied growing up.

He teaches his students to stand up for themselves if they are being bullied. He said you have to address the problem head on and not let the bully walk all over you. And, like he said, involving an extra support system if you are having difficulty dealing with bullying by yourself.

Jon said it’s important to advocate for yourself and say, “I don’t like the way I’m being treated”. Being able to say those things openly and not hide or shrug it off like it’s no big deal that you’re getting bullied is crucial. Take it seriously and say that this is a big issue you need to have addressed right now.

He also thinks we need to teach society that it’s not okay to publicly call out someone who is different. You should embrace that person and say, “I’m really interested to learn more about you, why are you different?”

Jon said parents need to teach their children social and emotional acceptance, that there are people who are different from you and there’s nothing wrong with that. There might be a parent with a young kid and they steer that child away from the person with the disability, giving the message that we shouldn’t be around this person. That reaction is not right. They need to teach their kids that this person is different, but they’re still a person and we should treat them with respect and kindness. Don’t shun someone because of how they look or speak.

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