Dear braille friends and colleagues,
I wanted to share the launch of the new website for my braille research lab at the University of Montreal. You can find it here: www.mbrl.ca
I also wanted to share an exciting opportunity for a student interested in pursuing a funded research-based Masters or Ph.D. degree under my supervision. See details below and please feel free to share widely. I am looking forward to supporting a student interested in this project!
Funded Master’s or Ph.D. Opportunity: Exploring the role of family members during adult braille learning: Co-creating resources for success
Are you interested in research that advances literacy equity and information access for people who are blind or low vision? Globally, people who can read and write have greater social opportunities and upward mobility, and people who are blind are no exception. Questions surrounding braille therefore extend beyond education and rehabilitation: they are also questions of equity, autonomy and inclusive participation. As the population ages, a growing number of adults who become blind or develop low vision later in life may benefit from learning braille. Although we know that parents and families play an important role in supporting children who learn braille, far less is known about the role, the experiences and the needs of families and friends who might support adult braille learners. This funded master’s opportunity places you at the centre of that question.
Applications are invited from students interested in pursuing a research-based master’s or Ph.D. degree in Vision Science (blindness and low vision rehabilitation option) under the supervision of Dr. Natalina Martiniello at the School of Optometry, Université de Montréal. The successful candidate will undertake participatory research, in close collaboration with the blind and low vision community, to explore the role of families in adult braille learning and to co-develop practical resources that help families provide effective support. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to explore:
- The role that family members play during adult braille instruction;
- The facilitators and barriers experienced by families during adult braille learning, from the perspective of adult learners and their families; and
- The information, strategies and resources that families would benefit from to better support adult braille learning and usage.
Learn more here: https://mbrl.ca/en/announcements/masters-student-research-opportunity-supporting-adult-braille-learners-and-their-families
Expressions of interest welcome until November 15th, 2026. Please feel free to share with others in your network who may be interested!