VIDBE-Q 2025 Volume 70 Issue 3
outcomes of their research to the adults and youth I worked with as a job coach at
the Lighthouse. The late Dr. Michael Brady was so enthusiastic about the idea and
made the connection. I was brought in as the interventionist to test a research-
based intervention teaching how to determine appropriate job fit to young adults
with VI and intellectual or developmental disability (Kearney et al., 2023). This
first exposure to research made me aware of the significant impact one study could
have in shaping the lives of students in my community, while also making
meaningful contributions to the field at large. The experience also reshaped my
understanding of a missionary calling, as I realized that making a difference as a
Christian educator didn't necessarily mean leaving all behind to have the world be
my classroom. I could serve "the one" in my own backyard and make ripples in the
ocean at the same time.
Transferring to FSU meant doing more of this work while building a solid
foundation of visual disabilities education and research. At FSU, I've learned the
ins and outs of research through hands-on experiences by being a part of Dr.
Root's General Curriculum Access (GCA) lab and a research assistant to Dr.
Tuttle. We've worked on adaptations and modifications to make math
interventions accessible to students with VI and extensive support needs, assessed
the use of assistive technology for students with VI nationwide, and investigated
standards and teaching practices for students in K-12
th
who have VI and additional
