[BlindResearch] Another Intro...

[Jeffords, Nikki]

Hello Everyone:
My name is Nikki Jeffords and I am a Research Associate with the National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision at Mississippi State University.  My primary role is training and outreach.  I am blind and my background is in VR Counseling.  I have only been in this position for a few months, and every day is a learning experience!  I work collaboratively with research professors and research scientists, some who have never worked in the field.  Conchita, I fondly recall you were a National Scholarship winner in 2016.  I have incredible respect for you and think you are awesome!!!  As for your question, years ago, when I first entered the field, I worked at a Center for Independent Living and person-first language was drilled into my brain.  When I found the NFB, it was difficult to shift my thinking.  It actually took a long-time Federationist to sit down with me and explain that blindness is respectable, to help me in reframing my perception.  I notice in research articles that person-first language is not used when referring to blind people collectively, I haven't seen anything yet that is based on individual experience.  I wonder if it might be appropriate to address the subject as a preface or within your introduction to the topic.  I will ask some of my colleagues who have been doing this a long time for their feedback as well.  I apologize for writing so much!  I am excited to be a part of this list and I look forward to getting to know everyone and the potential to work together on future projects.
All best,

Nikki Jeffords
Rehabilitation Training and Outreach Specialist
The National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision
Mailstop 9741
P.O. Box 6189
Mississippi State, MS 39762
P: 662.368.8288
F: 662.325.8989
njeffords at colled.msstate.edu<mailto:njeffords at colled.msstate.edu>
www.blind.msstate.edu<http://www.blind.msstate.edu/>
[http://www.opa.msstate.edu/identity/images/msstate_sig.png]<http://blind.msstate.edu/>


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