Bobby is "The Boss" with CDC+

By Robert Talley, with assistance from CDC+ Consultant Nichole Dawkins, CDC+ Representative Monica Doyle, and Staff Sherry Norris

Bobby Talley is a customer enrolled in the CDC+ program. He lives in Avon Park, which is in Highlands County and APD’s Central Region. The CDC+ program has been instrumental in allowing Bobby the freedom and authority to shape his life in a way that he chooses.

When Bobby had his wife, life was good and dealing with his blindness was not as much of an issue. Bobby didn’t need his eyes because his wife served as his eyes. He was on the iBudget program and services were adequate. She was an advocate for him and a lifetime companion.

When she passed away several years ago, Bobby’s quality of life significantly changed. Bobby shared that he felt like he didn’t really have the full power to do what he wanted and was limited to what resources and staff the agencies were able to find and hire for him. This was even more difficult because of the rural area he lives in. Each staff member would have a different personality and it was just not the best fit for him.

When Bobby found out about the CDC+ program, he spoke with his good friend, Monica Doyle, who is now his CDC Plus Representative, and she began assisting him in his move to CDC+. Bobby states that he was ready to build his team the way he wanted. He interviewed and hired CDC+ Consultant Nichole Dawkins, his Representative Monica Doyle, and two staff, Sherry Norris and Henrietta Taylor.

Bobby states that from that point on, things began to change for him. He was hiring people that he specifically felt had the qualifications he wanted and was able to train them the way he wanted things done. He was “The Boss,” and he knew it. He did not have to rely on provider agencies’ hiring practices. The CDC+ program has allowed Bobby to have a greater level of independence.

One of Bobby’s goals has been to produce artwork. He hired a staff member that was like-minded, Sherry Norris. He shared with her that it had always bothered him that he could never experience art the way everyone else did. When he went anywhere, he was told that he could not handle or touch the art. So, he came up with a new art that people who are blind like him or visually impaired in some way could still experience. He calls it “Touch Art.”

Bobby suggests to his sighted patrons that to have the full experience, you must close your eyes and feel the portrait. Bobby’s artwork has many textures and levels so that one can see with their fingers instead of just their eyes.

Bobby puts countless hours into his creations and they are his life’s work. He wants to someday have a gallery showing. His art has begun to sell, and he gets requests for personal murals from the community. Bobby has a Facebook page where buyers may look at his art and they can watch as he creates his pieces.

One of his favorite stories is of doing an event with the White Cane Society. It was a fundraiser where he had his art on display at a park. A mother corrected her child for touching his art. Bobby shares that he laughed and corrected the mother, “It’s for her to touch!”

His current piece that he is working on is titled “Rapunzel’s Tower.” It is a considerable-sized art piece. It will be done in around 12 to 13 stages. He has been featured in the community’s newspapers and has received an invitation from Florida State College to display his artwork. The White Cane Society has started a craft group because of Bobby’s influence on the Society.

In summary, the CDC+ program has allowed Bobby to have more freedom. The staff members he hired have been amazing, because he is able to use his own criteria for what makes a good employee for him. He sets the tone, the activities, and everyone answers to him… just the way he likes it! He strongly recommends the CDC+ program to others that are ready to take that bold step of truly having the most authority to live the life that they choose.


Artist and APD customer Bobby Talley enjoys the freedom and authority the CDC+ program provides.


Bobby Talley creates “Touch Art,” designed so that people who are blind like him or visually impaired in some way can still experience art.


Bobby Talley working on one of his pieces.