Spring 2021: Transitions in school and work: Stories from autobiographies of people with blindness or low vision

Presented by: Jane Erin

Date: 05/07/2021

Many people with visual impairment have told their stories through autobiographies, which provide a depth of experience that cannot be represented through traditional research approaches. The presenter has selected examples from autobiographies that reflect diverse experiences, focusing on those that emphasize school and preparation for adult life. Participants will receive a listing of more than 100 autobiographies that can provide insight into the factors that influenced life choices, including education, culture, socioeconomic status, family responses, and visual changes over time. Dr. Jane Erin is a professor emeritus at The University of Arizona, where she coordinated the program in Visual Impairment. In the College of Education she served as head of the department of DPS (formerly SERSP), Interim Associate Dean, and chair of the College Council. From 1984 to 1994 she was on the faculty at the University of Texas, and previously she was a teacher and supervisor at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children. In 1996 Dr. Erin received the national Mary K. Bauman Award as the Outstanding Educator in Visual Impairment from the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually impaired. She served as Editor in Chief of the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness from 1998-2001, and was formerly an Executive Editor of RE:view. She co-authored Visual Impairments and Learning with Dr. Natalie Barraga and co-edited Diversity and Visual Impairment with Dr. Madeline Milian; she has also authored several instructional guides for teachers of visually impaired students. Her research interests have included educational outcomes related to learning media used by visually impaired students, and braille instruction of young children.