CTD is a 501(c)3 organization founded by Gene Russo and Joan Schubin five years ago. Studies show that dance can improve a person’s sense of balance and strength, but for the visually impaired, the rewards go beyond the body. Visually impaired dancers build self-confidence and a sense of connection within themselves and with others when they participate in dancing, but the opportunities for dancing in an environment where the instructor and sighted partners are sensitive to the visually impaired dancer’s needs are far and few between. However, those in the Bay Area are fortunate to have Gene Russo and Connecting Through Dance because it provides the benefits of dance to both the visually impaired and the sighted as they learn, side-by-side and face-to-face, that teamwork and communication requires more than what the eye can see.