�̾��Ƶblindness research center: Much to celebrate during 2016

STARKVILLE, Miss.—In addition to marking its 35th anniversary of highly specialized service, a major research center at Mississippi State is concluding the calendar year with several new professional accolades.

The university’s National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision was recognized this month with a state award from the Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. The �̾��Ƶcenter earlier was honored by the organization’s Mobile Chapter.

The neighboring-state honor was the Collaboration Award given for a partnership between the center, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, Mobile Works Inc. and Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast. The award was for a June program the �̾��Ƶcenter organized to provide job search training for blind and visually impaired youth.

The coast training program was made possible through a competitive grant awarded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Center director Michele McDonnall said the primary goal of the Alabama governor’s committee “aligns with our mission to enhance employment outcomes for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

“We are honored to receive this award and look forward to continuing this strong partnership,” she added.

Separately, several center staff members specifically were cited for personal achievements by the Mississippi Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.

At the Mississippi recognition program held in Jackson:

—Kendra Farrow, the center’s research and training associate, received MAEER’s Kathryn Stroble Blind Career Achievement Award as a legally blind individual “who has successfully prepared for and received recognition for accomplishments in a professional career”;

—BJ LeJeune, training supervisor, received the Sam Johnson Award presented to an individual who has been “particularly helpful and supportive of the association and members of its leadership committee”; and

—Director McDonnall received the Employment Opportunity Development Award for “significant contributions in assisting blind persons to achieve their rightful place in the working world and in society.”

A part of Mississippi State’s College of Education since 1981, the NRTC is the only federally funded center focusing on employment outcomes of persons with blindness or low vision. Over the decades at the university, the center has been awarded more than $31 million to support research, training, technical assistance and dissemination activities for its client population.

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