Marla Runyan
Track and Field Athlete, Road Runner and Marathon Runner who is Legally Blind. Digital Accessibility Consultant/Testing Team Lead, Perkins School for the Blind
Marla Runyan is a former world-class American track and field athlete and marathoner who is legally blind. She began losing her vision at age nine, but that never kept her from achieving excellence in sport and beyond. A two-time Olympian, an international and Paralympic champion, Marla today speaks on behalf of Perkins and is author…
Categories :
Full Bio
Marla Runyan is a former world-class American track and field athlete and marathoner who is legally blind. She began losing her vision at age nine, but that never kept her from achieving excellence in sport and beyond. A two-time Olympian, an international and Paralympic champion, Marla today speaks on behalf of Perkins and is author of “No Finish Line, My Life As I See It.”
She works at Perkins Solutions as a Digital Accessibility Consultant and leads the Perkins Testing Team through the review process of online spaces, helping clients improve the accessibility of their websites. Marla is also a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and taught assistive technology, physics and other subjects to Perkins students.
In 1996, Marla relocated to Eugene, ORegon and reinvented herself as a middle distance runner. With a new coach and a new goal in sight, Marla finished third at the U.S. Olympic Trials and qualified for the 2000 U.S. Olympic team in the 1500 meter event – the first time a legally blind athlete has ever accomplished such a feat. To this day Marla Runyan is considered to be one of the greatest success stories in U.S. Track and Field history. Not only has she overcome a visual impairment; she astonishingly moved from sprints and field events to middle and long distance running. Marla went on to place as the top American finisher in the Twin Cities, New York City, Boston, and Chicago Marathons finishing 1st, 4th, 5th, and 7th in those events respectively.
Marla currently holds two master’s degrees in Special Education and teaches assistive technology at Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts. She also serves as an Ambassador and spokesperson for Perkins, the first school for the blind in the United States.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
- The Human’s Guide to Win-Win Negotiating
- Negotiating in Turbulent Times
- Presentation Skills: How to Succeed on Your Feet
- Acting Techniques for Executives
- Life Balance
- Negotiation Boot Camp: How to Satisfy Clients and Make Better Deals
- Optimism Is Everything
- Sales Negotiation…More is Better (more meaning selling price)
Videos
Marla Runyan CNN Interview
2011 Diversity Conference with Keynote Speaker Marla Runyan
News
Testimonials
GET IDEAS
1 HOUR OR LESS
