Completed Doctorates
Amy Parker, Ed.D. Texas Tech University
Amy T. Parker was a National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI) Doctoral Fellow who recently completed her program of study at Texas Tech University. Her emphasis of research was on evidence-based practices in teaching and rehabilitation for people who are
Amy Parker, Ed.D. and her children.visually impaired or deafblind. The focus of her dissertation was an adapted form of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) for students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities. Advocacy and policy development are two of her passions in the field of visual impairment and deafblindness. She has over 15 years serving in the field of deafblindness working as a Community Placement Specialist, Technical Assistance Specialist, and Regional
Representative for Helen Keller National Center. Dr. Parker is also a certified interpreter of American Sign Language in the state of Texas. She is working as a Research Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University in the Virginia Murray Sowell Center. She is married to Trey and has two young children, James and Abby.
The title of Dr. Parker's dissertation is:
Measuring an Adapted Form of Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) for Young Children with Visual Impairments and Developmental Disabilities [Doctoral Dissertation] --Parker, Amy Tollerson. Texas Tech University. (2009) This is the link to her dissertation is http://etd.lib.ttu.edu/theses/available/etd-06032009-203503
Dr. Amy Freeland
L to R: Dr. Robert Wall Emerson, Amy Freeland, Dr. Sue Ponchillia, Dr. Paul Ponchillia, Roger Gibson (Amy’s father), Diana Gibson (Amy’s mother); Front: Ellie the Dog Guide
Dr. Amy Freeland graduated with her Doctor of Philosophy from Western Michigan University's College of Health and Human Services with the the financial and professional support of the National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI) and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Cooperative Agreement H325U040001. Freeland is now an Epidemic Intelligence Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, assigned to the National Center for Environmental Health in the Healthy Community Design Initiative.
Dissertation Abstract: Visual Impairment and Eye Care Among Older Americans: Secondary analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Dr. Sharon Summers and Dr. Nora Griffin Shirley
Dr. Sharon Summers
Dr. Sharon Summers with her Doctor of Education from Texas Tech University, College of Education with the the financial and professional support of the National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI) and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Cooperative Agreement H325U040001.
Dissertation Abstract: Sensory Room Use: An Intervention Tool for Developing Visual Fluency in a Child with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)
Dr. Julie Durando
Dr. Julie Durando graduated with her Doctor of Education from The University of Northern Colorado thanks to the financial and professional support of the National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI) and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Cooperative Agreement H325U040001.
Dissertation Abstract: Home Literacy Experiences of Children with Visual Impairments and Multiple Disabilities
Dr. Tiffany Wild
Dr. Tiffany Wild graduated with her Doctor of Philosophy degree (Ph.D.) from The Ohio State University on August 24, 2008. This degree was made possible with the financial and professional support of the National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI) and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Cooperative Agreement H325U040001. Thank you to all who made the dreams of Dr. Wild come true!
Dr. Wild will begin her career as a visiting assistant professor at The Ohio State University in September. She will be coordinating the Program in Visual Impairments for the university.
Dissertation Abstract: Students’ with Visual Impairments Conceptions of Causes of Seasonal Change
Dr. Stacy Kelly
Dr. Stacy Kelly is pictured on the far right during the AER NCLVI Research Showcase in Chicago, Illinois
Dr. Stacy Kelly graduated with her doctor of education degree (Ed.D.) from Northern Illinois University on Friday, August 8th, 2008. This terminal degree would not have been accomplished without the financial and professional support of the National Center for Leadership in Visual Impairment (NCLVI) and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Cooperative Agreement H325U040001. Dr. Kelly would like to express her gratitude for this doctoral fellowship program.
Her dissertation was titled, "Correlates of Assistive Technology Use by Students Who Are Visually Impaired in the U.S.: Multilevel Modeling of the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study" and her dissertation director was Dr. Gaylen Kapperman. This dissertation study investigated the assistive technology use of students who are visually impaired in the U.S. through a secondary analysis of the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SEELS). The aim of this study was to estimate the level of assistive technology experience with text-to-speech devices and screen reading software nationwide and investigate some of the contextual circumstances that may contribute to the use of this special technology for the blind. Analysis of the data showed that the vast majority of students with visual impairments in the U.S. were not using assistive technology during each of the three measured time periods. It was determined that any change in assistive technology use as the three years of the survey progressed was not statistically significant. The findings were discussed in terms of implications for interventions and potential changes in policy or practice.
Dr. Kelly looks forward to the opportunity to work for the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) as their Policy Research Associate beginning this fall.
Dr. Derrick Smith Awarded Dissertation of the Year Award by the Council for Exceptional Children, Division for the Visually Impaired.
Dr. Derrick Smith
- Dissertation Abstract by Dr. Derrick Smith
Assistive Technology Competencies for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments: A Delphi Study - Dr. Derrick Smith Awarded Dissertation of the Year Award by the Council for Exceptional Children, Division for the Visually Impaired
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