Author and National Public Radio commentator Beth Finke will hold a daylong series of lectures and book signings Wednesday. Finke will speak about overcoming the hardships of being blind and her accomplishments as a commentator and writer.

Finke is a commentator for NPR’s “Morning Edition” and author of the book “Long Time No See,” which chronicles her experiences with juvenile blindness, becoming blind at age 26, being forced out of her job and raising a handicapped son.

Elizabeth Leake, an adaptive technology advocate for NIU’s Information Technology Services and a member of the Presidential Commission on People with Disabilities, invited Finke to NIU after reading her book. Leake said hosting speakers to talk about disabilities to increase awareness is a priority for NIU.

“After reading the book, I felt like I knew her and began to understand what it must be like to lose your vision,” Leake said. “I believe Beth is a writer first and foremost, and I suspect we will see more stories from her in the future.”

Finke will be the International Women’s Day luncheon keynote speaker on Wednesday and will give a talk titled “Imagine: A Blind Writer’s World View” at 11:30 a.m. at Adams Hall’s Chandelier Room. Following the presentation, there will be a book signing at 1:30 p.m. at the Holmes Student Center’s University Book Store.

At 3:30, Finke will give a free presentation, “Seeing Things Through,” at the student center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom.

Finke also will answer questions and sign books at 4:30 p.m. at the student center’s Galley Lounge and at 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 2439 Sycamore Road.

Finke’s visit is sponsored by ITS, NIU’s Presidential Commission on People with Disabilities, the Hauser-Ross Eye Institute and Surgicenter, Kishwaukee Community Hospital, University Resources for Women and the Center for Access-Ability Resources and Visual Disabilities Teacher and Rehabilitation Program.