Project Study Group

One requirement of the project is to "Identify and investigate a study population that includes a balanced sample of subjects representative of national demographics." This activity is being undertaken to meet priority requirements and also to serve as a critical data source for several of the research-related projects addressing the priorities of this study. We will identify a minimum of 406 people aged 55 and older who have both a hearing and a vision loss to participate in this research, who meet the following requirements of national representativeness.

The criteria for national representativeness will be based on demographic information from the 2000 U. S. Census specific to persons age 55 or older and sampling from the four U.S. Census Regions (Northeast, Midwest, South, West). The demographic dimensions on which representativeness will be established are gender, age, and race/ethnicity. Two age categories will be used - those between the ages of 55 and 70, referred to as the "young old," and those over age 70, referred to as the "old old." Six categories were established for race/ethnicity (White, African American/Black, Hispanic, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Native American, and Other). Thus, the goal of national representativeness will be for the Study Sample to have approximately the same percentages as in the national population for subgroup combinations of gender, age, and ethnicity, based on geographical region of the country.

Study Group Requirements

If you are over 55, and have a vision and hearing loss, you are invited to participate in a 3-5 year Study Group. The Study Group will be used to examine the impact of the secondary sensory loss on transportation, community integration, communication systems, assistive technology access and usage, and employment. Involvement would be primarily in the form of volunteer surveys and interviews. If you are interested in participating or would like more information please contact:

B. J. LeJeune, Principal Investigator
Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision
Mississippi State University
P. O. Box 6189
Mississippi State, MS 39762

1-800-675-7782
1-662-325-8693 TDD
bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu

Or, you may complete our online application form and email or fax it to us. Please click your preferred method of submission. Email the application or fax the application.