
David Feinhals
Secretary
New Jersey native, David Feinhals serves as the Executive Director of St. Joseph’s School for the Blind, an organization that was founded in Jersey City in 1891 and remains the only school for the blind in the State. Today, the School provides an array of specialized programs for individuals, from birth through adulthood, who are blind, visually impaired and have multiple disabilities. Together with its staff of 100 employees, the mission serves over 300 individuals each year. Under his leadership, the School has reverted to its founding name, implemented facility-wide technology upgrades, grown a Medicaid-licensed adult day program and added a multi-sensory room, a physical & occupational therapy center and a school-based program for infants who are blind and their parents. Also, during his tenure, the school has enhanced its program by adding a Transition Coordinator and an Adaptive Physical Education & Health Teacher to its staff.
Early in his career, while educating children with autism, David developed a strong interest in assistive technology. From 2001 to 2006, he taught children and adults who were blind and visually impaired how to use computers and assistive technology to achieve their educational and vocational goals.
Upon completion of his graduate degree in 2007, he joined the team at the NJ Foundation for the Blind in Denville, NJ, as a vision rehabilitation therapist. Here, he instructed adults with vision loss in the areas of independent living skills, braille, optical aids, assistive technology, and orientation & mobility. As Program Director from 2008 through 2010, David designed and launched two unique programs: a weekly, full-day health & wellness program and an extensive, curriculum-based iPad and iPhone training for the blind and visually impaired, the first of its kind in New Jersey. In 2011, David became the Foundation’s Executive Director and initiated a change in the organization’s delivery model. With the board’s support, he orchestrated the sale of the Foundation’s large campus and facilities in Denville with the goal of serving more people in smaller, satellite locations throughout the state. Within three years, the Foundation was delivering ongoing programs in four counties and serving substantially more people in need.
David holds a Master of Science in Education from Hunter College, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rutgers University.