The Latest News from the NRTC

Image Alternative Text: text: NRTC Unveils Updated NTAC-BLV Website

NRTC Unveils Updated NTAC-BLV Website

Our technical assistance website, the National Technical Assistance Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NTAC-BLV), has been redesigned.

January 21, 2021
Image Alternative Text: MSU NRTC logo, text “Quarterly Connections: News from the NRTC” on maroon background with open envelope graphic; text “Winter 2021,” and “Linking Blindness and Low Vision Research to Practice”

Winter 2021 - Quarterly Connections: News from the NRTC

Read the Winter 2021 newsletter to learn about our progress on our Access Technology in the Workplace research project, three new courses, upcoming presentations, and more!

December 1, 2020
Image Alternative Text: Individual using a braille reader

NRTC Recruiting Participants for Access Technology Study

The NRTC is recruiting people with blindness or low vision (age 21+) who are working or interested in working to be part of a 5-year study about access technology (AT) use, particularly in the workplace.

January 21, 2021
Image Alternative Text: Text: NRTC Congratulates 2020 VSP Class Graduates

NRTC Congratulates 2020 VSP Class Graduates

Sylvia Stinson-Perez, Vision Specialist Program Director, is extremely proud of these graduates, who "met an extraordinary challenge during COVID-19 to rise above not only in the demands of this program but in their professional roles."

December 4, 2020
Image Alternative Text: Virtual participants of the PYBFF training

NRTC Offers Free PYBFF Trainer Workshops

The NRTC is offering several Putting Your Best Foot Forward (PYBFF) Trainer Workshops in 2021, starting with January 26-27. Participation in the workshop is required to obtain access to the new PYBFF training curriculum.

November 23, 2020
Image Alternative Text: MAER logo

NRTC Presents at MAER Conference

Many NRTC research and support staff participated in the Mississippi Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MAER) Virtual Conference on October 8-10. This year's theme was "Beyond Vision Loss: Partnerships for Successful Transition Toward Autonomy."

October 16, 2020
Image Alternative Text: NRTC staff with text “The NRTC Awarded Second Major National Grant"

The NRTC Awarded Second Major National Grant

The NRTC is proud to announce our receipt of another competitive national grant. This grant, Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind Training and Technical Assistance, is sponsored by the Rehabilitation Services Administration under the U.S. Department of Education. This 5-year grant, which provides approximately $3 million in funding, begins October 1, 2020.

October 1, 2020
Image Alternative Text: Headshots of Sylvia Stinson-Perez, Kendra Farrow, Michael Nye, and Hannah Fairbairn with Connect logo

OIB-TAC Hosted Virtual Technical Assistance Conference

The Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC) hosted our second annual OIB Program Manager’s Technical Assistance Conference on August 31 – September 4.

September 17, 2020
Image Alternative Text: McDonnall smiling with text “John H. McAulay Award 2020 Recipient: Dr. Michele McDonnall”

NRTC Director Honored with 2020 John H. McAulay Award

This award, from the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, was established to "honor professionals who have contributed outstanding efforts and achievements leading to the placement of people with visual impairments in productive employment."

September 9, 2020
Image Alternative Text: NRTC on Blindness and Low Vision awarded major national grant

The NRTC Awarded Major National Grant

The National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision (NRTC) has a 39-year history of conducting research and advancing knowledge about the employment of people who are blind or low vision.

August 10, 2020
Image Alternative Text: Logo for OIB-TAC Annual Manager's Technical ASsistance Conference

OIB-TAC Prepares to Host Virtual Conference

The Older Individuals who are Blind Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC) is preparing for their second annual OIB Program Manager’s Technical Assistance Conference. This year, it will be held virtually August 31 – September 4 on the OIB-TAC Community of Practice with the theme “Connect.”

July 21, 2020
Image Alternative Text: 4to24 Deaf-Blind App on iphone screen

4to24 Deaf-Blind App Ready for Field Test

The NRTC's employment-focused "4to24" app for parents of youth with deaf-blindness (DB) is in its final stages of development. This version of the app is designed specifically for parents or caretakers of children and youth between the ages of 4 to 24 years old who are deaf-blind, or have combined visual and hearing impairment, and additional disabilities.

June 24, 2020
Image Alternative Text: Desktop with OIB-TAC live forum webpage on the screen

OIB-TAC Hosted Live Forum on Remote Training

The Older Individuals Who are Blind – Technical Assistance Center (OIB-TAC) regularly hosts live forums to allow professionals to converse with designated experts on a specific topic through comments posted on our Community of Practice.

March 23, 2020
Image Alternative Text: cartoon computer monitor on screen for nrtc.catalog.instructure.com

NRTC's New Learning Management System

A key component of the NRTC mission is to enhance the employment and independent living outcomes of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. One way we do this is to provide free training to professionals in the form of our online short courses.

March 5, 2020