The American Foundation for the Blind occasionally recruits student researchers to assist with our research activities such as literature reviews, data analysis, and report writing as part of our commitment to evidence-based advocacy. This summer, AFB has worked with a group of four on various projects. These volunteers are either in a doctoral program or giving serious consideration to applying. Through their universities, some are receiving credit for their volunteer work.
AFB welcomes the opportunity to provide volunteer, internship, externship, and independent study experiences to graduate students. AFB’s Director of Research, Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum, has 22 years of experience as a university faculty member and enjoys mentoring graduate students looking to build their research skills.
Meet these four bright volunteers:
Megan Smith, a doctoral student at George Mason University, has been a teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI) for four years. She began the doctoral program because, “It allows me to not only learn more about my students but also it lets me look at issues in special education such as transition. The more digging I did [looking for research to help me in my own teaching] the harder it was to find the research. I want to learn more and also contribute to the field long-term.”
Having just taken a class in qualitative data analysis and having a strong interest in transition, Smith volunteered to assist with analyzing interviews with fellows and mentors who began AFB’s Blind Leaders Development Program (BLDP) in March. Working with Dr. Rosenblum, she is applying her course knowledge to a real-world research project while simultaneously gaining insights into skills she needs to focus on with transition-age students on her caseload. Her summer efforts will result in a report and presentation that will contribute to the 14-month study of the impact of the BLDP on developing the leadership skills of the 16 fellows.
Michelle Hicks, a soon-to-be first year doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University, has 25 years’ experience as a special education teacher, most recently for the last five as a TVI. Volunteering with AFB’s research team has enabled her to learn about how researchers collaborate. Michelle is part of the data analysis team for the Access and Engagement to Education for Students with Visual Impairments Including Those with Multiple Disabilities and Deafblindness study, which examined the impact of COVID-19 on the education of children in the US and Canada. The team, led by Rosenblum, includes Dr. Tina Herzberg, University of South Carolina Upstate; Drs. Tiffany Wild and Danene Fast, Ohio State University; Dr. Kathryn Botsford, Vision Education Research, LLC; Dr. Justin Kaiser, University of Kentucky; and C. Rett McBride, another AFB volunteer completing his doctoral requirements at the University of Georgia.
Hicks recently joined a Zoom meeting with the researchers and reflected afterwards, “I’ve read articles, but to hear about who is going to be the first author, see what’s it like to work with a group and collaborate -- those behind-the-scenes peeks into what I’ll be doing down the road are really valuable.” As a dedicated professional who hosts a podcast called TVI Talks with Michelle, her commitment to the profession is already clear.
Jasamyn Nichols DeGrant is completing her Orientation & Mobility program at the University of Kentucky. She is also gaining experience through the work on the Access & Engagement study. “I have expressed a lot of interest in getting my Ph.D.,” DeGrant says. “The little bit I have had to look at of the [qualitative] responses [from the participants], and reflected on my own teaching as a TVI and O&M specialist, has been beneficial. It’s rewarding knowing the importance of what we’re doing and that the results will help the teachers provide better services for our kids.”
Leanne Cook is a lover of research who sees that there will come a time in her life when she’ll pursue her doctorate. With a background in deafblindness after working for the National Center on Deaf-blindness and as a TVI in both California and Oregon, Cook is passionate about the field.
“There is so much that happens outside of the classroom that impacts our work [as TVIs],” Cook says. “The opportunity to participate in [analyzing data] is beneficial, but also informative in times that feel unstable. I’m looking for something concrete in that and it’s rewarding outside of the professional aspect of it.”
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AFB believes in shaping the future for the better. In order to effect positive change for those with vision loss, we need research to point the way. We welcome graduate students or others to explore if AFB can provide them an opportunity to build their skills. As Smith noted, “I thought [working as a volunteer for] AFB would be a good way to network and find opportunities for people to mentor me outside of the university.”
If you would like to explore volunteering with AFB researchers, please contact Dr. L. Penny Rosenblum at prosenblum@afb.org.
