Research

Elyse Connors, Ph.D.
Medication management
Our research examines packaging and access to printed label information for persons with visual impairment, with the goal of safer medication management and development of best practices.
Vision rehabilitation therapy roles and functions
We are currently examining the roles and job tasks of current vision rehabilitation therapists, as well as changes in these roles over time.

Robert Wall Emerson, Ph.D.
Issues in orientation & mobility
Our primary areas of research have been how people who are blind use sound to understand their environment, configuring accessible pedestrian signals, biomechanics of long cane use, braille literacy, accessibility of complex intersections for people who are blind, the impact of quiet vehicles on people who are blind and describing mathematical images for people who are blind. Current projects include an analysis of hand and finger movements in braille readers and a determination of how tactual guidance surfaces can be used to assist pedestrians who are blind in finding street crossing places.

Dae Kim, Ph.D.
Long cane design
We are currently running a long cane design and biomechanics study funded by National Institutes of Health in 2014 (renewal grant under review in 2018). With an interdisciplinary team that includes mechanical engineers and exercise scientists, as well as orientation and mobility specialists, we are investigating how to improve long design and cane-use biomechanics so that blind cane users can detect hazards on their walking path more reliably with the long cane. Funded by USDOT (Transportation Research Center for Livable Communities).
Orientation and mobility training
We are conducting a study that investigates blind individuals’ travel behaviors before and after receiving an orientation and mobility training using latest technologies such as GPS, GIS, and accelerometers.

Jennipher Wiebold, Ph.D.
Social networking and job seeking skills for persons with blindness/low vision
Our research interests include the use of social networking in job seeking skills training for persons with blindness and low vision; immersion in blindness training curriculum development in rehabilitation counselor personnel preparation; burnout, compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among blindness and low vision service providers and rehabilitation counselors; and sports education (Goalball emphasis) in community settings.

Helen Lee, Ph.D.
Evolving technologies in vision rehabilitation therapy (VRT)
Current research examines how the role of the VRT has changed in the 21^st century due to rapidly changing technologies in terms of intervention strategies in serving individuals who have visual impairments as well as analysis of mainstream technologies that have features that potentially allow information access by this population. Students and faculty also collaborate with local museums in research activities related to accessible exhibits. Dr. Lee is currently involved in the publication of the new Foundations of Vision Rehabilitation Therapy textbook.

Dawn Anderson, Ph.D.
Access to curriculum, instruction and valid and reliable assessment tools
We have a current study that describes how learning media assessment are administered and identifies tools that are valid and reliable for matching of learning media to particular students and tasks. We also are studying the assessment tools in orientation and mobility to determine the validity of each. Dr. Anderson is also working on a project to update the National Plan for Training Personnel to serve children with blindness and low vision.