NRTC awarded renewals for two major national grants aiding blind or low vision individuals
Contact: Brittany Greer
STARKVILLE, Miss.—With renewed support from two major national grants, Mississippi State University’s National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision, or NRTC, will continue changing lives by expanding research, training and technical assistance that improve employment, independence and quality of life for individuals who are blind or have low vision, or B/LV.
The NRTC, housed in MSU’s College of Education, received the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Employment Among People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision grant. It is sponsored by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research, a federal organization housed within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
With this five-year grant, totaling approximately $4 million, the NRTC will conduct seven innovative research projects aimed at improving employment outcomes for B/LV individuals, including mentoring interventions, mental health support in vocational rehabilitation and the development of core technology skills for workplace success. Collaborative efforts with organizations such as Be My Eyes and state VR agencies help ensure real-world relevance and impact.
Through training and technical assistance initiatives, the NRTC will launch The Blindness Experience, a new undergraduate course offered through the College of Education and update online training modules for professionals. These efforts reflect the college’s commitment to preparing future educators and service providers with inclusive, evidence-based practices.
The center received a grant renewal for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind Technical Assistance Center, funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration under the U.S. Department of Education. This five-year grant allows the center to continue supporting professionals and programs that serve B/LV older adults.
Under this new funding cycle, the OIB-TAC will:
- Provide intensive technical assistance to three states each year.
- Offer continuing education courses, webinars and an annual program manager conference.
- Facilitate monthly and quarterly meetings for program managers and service contractors.
- Deliver individualized support to any program or professional upon request.
This new funding ensures continued access to high-quality training and technical assistance through the OIB-TAC for programs receiving federal funding for the provision of independent living services for older individuals 55 and older.
Learn more at blind.msstate.edu and oib-tac.org.
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