Completed Research Activities

Completed
Research Activities

Previous research activities that the NRTC has conducted and completed.

Completed Research

Employment Outcomes Research 2020-2025

In 2020, the NRTC received funding from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) for an RRTC on Employment of People who are Blind or Have Low Vision (NIDILRR grant 90RTEM0007). The purpose of this RRTC is to generate new knowledge and provide training and technical assistance with the goal of improving employment outcomes for people who are blind or have low vision (B/LV).

Image description: Man working at a braille display in the workplace
Link to Access Technology in the Workplace
Project 1

Access Technology in the Workplace

The primary purpose of this study is to determine which assistive technologies and mainstream technologies, together referred to as access technology (AT), are being utilized in the workplace and how they are being utilized by people who are blind or have low vision (B/LV).

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Image description: Woman working at a computer
Link to Virtual Training to Improve Job Interview Skills
Project 2

Virtual Training to Improve Job Interview Skills

Evaluating the effectiveness of a virtual interview training intervention in improving job interview skills and employment outcomes for youth and young adults who are blind or have low vision (B/LV).

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Link to Interactive Video for Employers
Project 3

Interactive Video for Employers

Evaluating whether an interactive educational video of a rehabilitation professional who is blind positively affects attitudes towards, knowledge about, and intent to hire people who are blind or have low vision (B/LV)

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Image description: Woman participating in a virtual meeting while sitting at a desk
Link to Job Search Skills Training via Videoconference
Project 4

Job Search Skills Training via Videoconference

The purpose of this project is to implement a job search skills training program with adults who are blind or have low vision (B/LV) and evaluate its effectiveness. We will provide the training to small groups in a distance learning environment using accessible videoconferencing software.

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Image description: Woman sitting in chair using assistive tech with her dog guide laying next to her
Link to Increasing Labor Force Participation
Project 5

Increasing Labor Force Participation

The purpose of this mixed-methods study is to investigate the employment barriers faced by discouraged workers who are blind or have low vision (B/LV) and to explore strategies to overcome them.

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Image description: A pen pointing at a sheet with graphs and pie charts.
Link to Exploration of National Datasets
Project 6

Exploration of National Datasets

The purpose of this project is to investigate employment outcomes beyond basic employment rates and to explore predictors of employment for people who are blind or have low vision (B/LV) using five large national datasets.

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Image description: Man with a business suit using a tablet to fill out a job application.
Link to Online Job Application Accessibility
Project 7

Online Job Application Accessibility

In collaboration with the American Foundation for the Blind, this one-year study will evaluate the accessibility and usability of job-application websites of 30 Fortune 500 companies.

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Link to Training and Technical Assistance
2020-2025

Training and Technical Assistance

Our training and technical assistance activities allow NRTC researchers to share findings with a diverse audience.

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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.

Image description: Parents playing with baby holding cell phone
Link to Development of an App to Help Parents and Youth Focus on Employment
Project 1

Development of an App to Help Parents and Youth Focus on Employment

Creation of an app to guide users through steps they can take to help youth who are B/LV or deaf-blind progress in education, independence, and employment.

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Link to Summer Work Experience
Project 2

Summer Work Experience

Examination of the impact of a job search skills training program on short-term and long-term outcomes for B/LV youth.

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Image description: Close-up of two people shaking hands
Link to An Experiment to Evaluate Employer Intervention Approaches
Project 3

An Experiment to Evaluate Employer Intervention Approaches

Evaluation of different approaches to a first meeting between a vocational rehabilitation representative and an employer.

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Link to The Effectiveness of an Evidence-Based Approach to VR Counselor Training
Project 4

The Effectiveness of an Evidence-Based Approach to VR Counselor Training

Evaluation of a training aimed at helping vocational rehabilitation counselors work more effectively with businesses.

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Link to Job Retention and Advancement
Project 5

Job Retention and Advancement

Exploration of factors that influence job retention and advancement for people who are B/LV.

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Link to Exploration of Secondary Data
Project 6

Exploration of Secondary Data

Generated new knowledge about youth and adults who are deaf-blind; persons with combined traumatic brain injury and B/LV; and the impacts on employment outcomes of changes associated with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

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