Vista Honors:
Honoring Ted Henter & 30 Years of JAWS Empowering Connection to the Digital World
About the Event
Join us for this exclusive in-person celebration and fundraiser supporting Vista Center’s life-changing programs. The Vista Honors Gala will unite Silicon Valley’s accessibility community to celebrate the innovators who changed what’s possible, and those carrying the torch forward to ensure technology continues to empower people with vision loss. Every year, Vista Center restores hope and empowers independence for more than 3,700 youth, working adults, and seniors who are blind or visually impaired.
DATE AND TIME
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
6:00 pm
LOCATION
Hosted cocktail hour and full course-dinner buffet
Sighted-guide for buffet provided upon request.
Stanford Faculty Club
439 Lagunita Dr, Stanford, CA 94305
Directions, Parking and Accessibility information
Honoring Ted Henter: 30 Years of JAWS Empowering Connection to the Digital World
Creator of:
In 2025, we mark a milestone: the 30th anniversary of JAWS for Windows, the screen reader that redefined digital access for blind and low vision individuals. Created by Ted Henter, an engineer and visionary who transformed personal loss into a groundbreaking innovation, JAWS opened doors for millions to connect with the world.
By honoring Ted Henter, Vista Center underscores a profound truth: technology’s power is realized only when it is embraced by community. This anniversary celebrates not just a revolutionary tool, but the people and partnerships that keep accessibility moving forward. For 30 years, JAWS (Job Access With Speech) has reshaped what’s possible for millions, serving as a bridge to autonomy and full participation in society.
Sponsorship & Tickets
Step into an evening of elegance, impact, and intentional celebration. These premier sponsorships offer more than a table, they’re a toast to legacy, leadership, and the luminous work of Vista Center.
Become a $5k Table Sponsor – Includes 10 Tickets to Vista Honors
Presenting Sponsor:
Sponsorships Options
Swipe left to view the entire tablePlease call Lea Berhane at lberhane@vistacenter.org for a reading of the sponsorships.
| Sponsorship Benefits | $25,000 | $20,000 | $15,000 | $10,000 | $5,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recognition as the Presenting Sponsor and the opportunity to make remarks on stage | • | ||||
| Acknowledgment and logo presence in additional Vista Center Events | • | • | |||
| Meet and Greet with Ted Henter, Inventor of JAWS | • | • | |||
| Recognition from the podium during the event by MC | • | • | • | ||
| Opportunity to engage in press coverage | • | • | • | • | |
| Recognition in thank-you message sent to event attendees | • | • | • | • | • |
| Recognition as a sponsor in all promotional materials, including social media | • | • | • | • | • |
| Complimentary tickets for guests | 20 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 10 |
If you are interested in purchasing individual tickets, contact lberhane@vistacenter.org
All sponsorships also include:
- Premier table
A beautifully appointed table in a prime location, ideal for hosting colleagues, loved ones, or honored guests. - Hosted cocktail hour
Begin the evening with handcrafted cocktails and warm conversation in a welcoming pre-event reception. - Full course-dinner buffet
Sighted-guide for buffet provided upon request.
Tickets
Individual tickets will go on sale mid-October.
Donate
If you are unable to attend Vista Honors, please consider making a donation to recognize Ted Henter and support Vista Center’s mission.
Ted Henter Biography
After earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida, Henter competed in the “Expert “category of international motorcycle racing. In 1978 a car accident left him completely blind.
Ever resilient, he co-founded Henter-Joyce in 1987 and led the development of JAWS, (Job Access With Speech), revolutionizing computer access for blind users.
Under Ted’s leadership, JAWS became not just a tool, but a symbol of technological inclusion — paving the way for the field of accessible technology.
A successful entrepreneur, Henter-Joyce was acquired by Freedom Scientific, operating under Vispero, a leader in assistive technology. JAWS revolutionized access to computers by allowing users to navigate digital environments through speech and keyboard input, opening doors to education, employment, and independence for millions. In 2002, he founded Henter Math to improve access to mathematics for students with disabilities.
A long-term athlete, Henter also excelled as a (blind) competitive water skier, winning several U.S. national titles and the overall Gold Medal at the 1991 World Disabled Water Ski Championships.
His lifetime contributions to accessibility earned him the prestigious Migel Medal from the American Foundation for the Blind in 2018.
Vista Center is proud to honor Ted Henter at this year’s Vista Honors Gala celebration — for a lifetime of innovation, impact, and unshakable belief in the power of accessible technology to change lives.
Contact Us
For additional ticketing and sponsorship information, please contact Lea Berhane at lberhane@vistacenter.org
We’ll have volunteers on site to provide sighted-guide and general assistance if needed. If you require any additional accommodations to make your experience more enjoyable, please let us know.
Important: Accessibility & Parking
Please Use Rear Entrance!
Please park in the lot next to the Stanford Humanities Center (424 Santa Teresa Street). From there, follow signs to the rear entrance of the Stanford Faculty Club (439 Lagunita Drive), where our gala check-in will be located. This lot is closest to the rear entrance of the Faculty Club, where gala check-in will be located. Volunteers will be on hand to guide you.
Parking & Entrance Directions for Gala Guests
Destination Address for GPS:
424 Santa Teresa Street, Stanford, CA 94305
(This is the Stanford Humanities Center, which sits directly behind the Faculty Club)
Step-by-Step Directions:
1. Approach Campus:
From Campus Drive, turn onto Santa Teresa Street.
The Humanities Center will be on your right-hand side.
2. Parking Lot Location:
Park in the lot directly adjacent to the Humanities Center (behind the Faculty Club).
This lot is closest to the rear entrance of the Faculty Club, where gala check-in will be located.
3. Walking to the Gala Entrance:
After parking, walk toward the Faculty Club (address: 439 Lagunita Drive).
Follow signs guiding you to the rear entrance, staff/volunteers will be stationed to welcome you.
Parking Notes:
Free after 4:00 PM and weekends.
If arriving earlier on a weekday, you’ll need a Stanford visitor permit (via the ParkMobile app or Stanford Parking website).
Accessible parking spaces are available in the Humanities Center lot.
Accessible Entrances
Main Entrance
Located on Lagunita Drive with ramp access (not in use for gala check‑in).
Elevator
Accessible from both entrances, located to the left of the main lobby.
Restrooms
Wheelchair‑accessible restrooms are available on the first floor.