Employment Outcomes Research 2015-2020

In 2015, the NRTC was funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) for an RRTC on Employment for Individuals with Blindness or Other Visual Impairments (NIDILRR grant 90RT5040-01-00). We began work on six research projects, training and technical assistance activities, and dissemination in October 2015. The NRTC continues this research under the 2015-2020 grant cycle. This research has resulted in dozens of outputs and products, including peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, an app, an intervention manual, policy and practice guides, and online courses.

Click below to learn more about each project and to view related outputs and products.

2010-2015 NIDILRR RRTC GRANT (NIDILRR, GRANT #90RT5011)

Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Employment Outcomes for Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired

The overarching theme of the six research projects funded under the RRTC grant by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) was evaluating the most common barriers and facilitators to employment for this population. The projects involve developing and evaluating new and existing employment interventions and practices, with the ultimate goal of improving competitive employment outcomes and other indicators of employment success for individuals who are legally blind. We have been working on the six research projects described below since receiving the grant in October 2010.

Each research project includes training, technical assistance, and dissemination components. Click the links below to learn more about these elements of the 2010-2015 RRTC on Employment Outcomes for Individuals who are Blind or Visually Impaired:

Training & Technical Assistance Dissemination

Project Staff

Principal Investigator: Michele McDonnall, Ph.D. m.mcdonnall@msstate.edu

Research/Training Staff: Adele Crudden, Ph.D.; Kendra Farrow; J. Martin Giesen, Ph.D.; B. J. LeJeune, M.Ed.; Karla Antonelli, Ph.D.; William Reuschel, M.S.

Employment Outcomes for Transition-Aged Youth

In 2007, the NRTC received funding from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (#H133A070001) to establish a Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) to conduct research on transition-age individuals with blindness or low vision. Project activities were completed December 2011. An abstract and list of publications and other products are provided.

More on Employment Outcomes for Transition-Aged Youth

Funded by National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, NIDRR Grant #H133A070001

Background Image Alternative Text: Printing out a textbook in braille via Student Support Services

Persons Aging with Hearing and Vision Loss

The research component of the study has focused on gathering information from several sources: small focus groups and a nationally representative study sample of consumers over the age of 55 with both hearing and vision loss, service providers and vendors of assistive technology used by persons with sensory loss.

More on Persons Aging with Hearing and Vision Loss

Funded by the National Institute of Disability Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR Grant #H133A020701)

Moderators of Depressive Symptoms for Older Adults with Dual Sensory Loss

A much larger proportion of older persons with dual sensory loss experience syndromal or subsyndromal depression compared to the general population.

More on Moderators of Depressive Symptoms

Funded by the National Institute on Aging (McDonnall, PI)