Accessible Education
Accessible Education research and development efforts focus on how inclusive designs and assistive technology can make education more accessible for students with disabilities, from grade school to post-secondary institutions. Research interests include strategies for using accessible information and communication technology (ICT) and alternative, accessible media to support student learning, with an additional focus on improving the accessibility of distance education for students with disabilities.
Tactile Graphics in STEM Education
Principal Investigator: Zerrin Ondin; Co-Invesitgator: Guy Toles
The goal of this exploratory study is to investigate students' experiences with tactile graphics. An online survey will be used to collect data from higher education students with visual disabilities. We will send the survey to current clients (students) as well as students around the country who are enrolled in higher education and have visual disabilities.
Audio Description in STEM Context
Principal Investigator: Zerrin Ondin; Co-Invesitagor: Sheryl Ballenger
This exploratory focus group study aims to investigate experiences and perspectives of students, teachers, authors, and describers with regards to audio description, with the intent of providing suggestions for describing STEM content in instructional videos. Acknowledging the fact that audio description in an educational context is a multifaceted issue, this study brings all stakeholders together to gain a comprehensive understanding and employ an inclusive inquiry approach.
Assistive Technology Outcomes Research
Principal Investigator: Ben Satterfield; Co-Investigators: Zerrin Ondin and Carolyn Phillips
This research project aims to create one comprehensive data collection framework for Tools For Life (TFL) to investigate assistive technology outcomes.
Evidence-Based Accommodation Decision Making
Principal Investigator: Zerrin Ondin; Co-Investigators: Doug Neal, Sherryl Ballenger, and Carolyn Phillips
This project aims to develop a framework for evidence-based accommodation decision making.
Impacts and Effectiveness of Assistive Technology for People with Developmental Disabilities
Principal Investigator: Carolyn Phillips; Co-Investigators: Zerrin Ondin and Ben Satterfield
Tools for Life (TFL), in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), is providing assistive technology (AT) services to 180 participants (as determined by DBHDD) and their circles of support (parents, legal guardians, or representatives). AT services include AT consults, recommendations, training, and follow-up. As part of this service, TFL is conducting a research study to investigate the impacts and effectiveness of the recommended AT.