Edward Christofer Bell
1500 West Barnett Springs Avenue
Ruston, LA 71270
Home: (318) 255-7006
Cell: (318) 278-0705
[email protected]
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATION
Ph.D., Rehabilitation Education and Research, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR,
December 2004.
M.A., Educational Psychology, Concentration in Orientation and Mobility, Louisiana
Tech University, Ruston, LA, August 1999.
B.A., Human Development, Concentration in Children's Services, California State
University, San Marcos, CA, Magna Cum Laude, May 1998.
Certification, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Counsel on Rehabilitation
Counselor Certification (CRCC), Rolling Meadows, IL, July 2005.
Certificate, Educational Statistics and Research Methods, University of Arkansas,
Fayetteville, AR, July 2004.
Certification, National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC), National
Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB), Baltimore, MD, August
1999.
CURRENT POSITION
Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness, Louisiana Tech
University, Ruston, LA, June, 2005 – Present.
 Direct the institute programs and supervise staff
 Coordinate the Orientation and Mobility program, Master of Arts in
Industrial/Organizational Psychology
 Coordinate the Rehabilitation Teaching program, Master of Arts, Counseling and
Guidance.
 Coordinate the Teachers of Blind Students (TBS) Cognate within the MAT, M.Ed.
and GC degrees.
 Teach graduate classes and advise students
 Coordinate and conduct institute research projects
 Seek and administer extramural funding for the institute
 Prepare and administer comprehensive budget
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Project Director, Long-Term Training Grant, Orientation and Mobility and Rehabilitation
Teaching, U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration,
Washington, D.C., October 2014—Present.
Edward C. Bell
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Research Consultant, Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers
(PARCC), Washington, D.C., February, 2014—Present.
Consultant, Orientation and Mobility Methods and Principles, Florida State University,
Tallahassee, FL, April 21, 2011.
Owner and Manager, Gemini Research and Training, LLC. Ruston, LA, April 2009—
Present.
Principal Investigator, National Reading Media Assessment, National Federation of the
Blind, September 1 – Present, Baltimore, MD.
Project Director, Blinded Veterans and Wounded Warriors Pilot Research Rehabilitation
Project, Department of Defense contract to Louisiana Tech University, August 17,
2009--August 16, 2010, Ruston, LA.
Project Coordinator, "Focus on Quality," Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the
Blind Division, October 2007 –February 2009, Honolulu, HI.
Management Team Member, Low Incidence Disability Consortia (LIDC), August 2007 –
present, Ruston, LA.
Principal Investigator, Explore It Tactile Project, National Braille Press, June 2006 –
February 2007, Boston, MA.
Program Evaluator, Louisiana Center for the Blind, Techniques for Living with
Confidence program for seniors, December 2005 – Present, Ruston.
Project Coordinator, Ho`opono Empowerment Mentoring Project, Interwork Institute,
San Diego State University, October 2005 –December 2008, San Diego, CA.
Co-Principal Investigator, Project ELEVATE, (Effective Learning Experience via Active
Teaching Enhancement), Louisiana Tech University, June 2005 – Present,
Ruston.
Research Consultant, "Evaluation of the Employment Outcomes of Blind Consumers in
the Maryland Department of Vocational Rehabilitation," State of Maryland,
Governor's Office of Individuals with Disabilities, June 2004-June 2005,
Annapolis, MD.
Principal Investigator, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, Special
Demonstration Program--Model Transitional Rehabilitation Services for Youth
and Young Adults With Disabilities, October 2004 – Present, Baltimore, MD.
Grant Writer, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, Special Demonstration
Program--Model Transitional Rehabilitation Services for Youth and Young
Adults with Disabilities, September 2004, Baltimore, MD.
Principal Investigator, Iowa Department for the Blind, Model Mentorship Program,
September 2003 –September 2008, Des Moines.
Research Consultant, Iowa Department for the Blind, Model Mentorship Program,
August 2003, Des Moines.
Edward C. Bell
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Counselor Intern, Arkansas Department of Services for the Blind, August 2003 - May
2004, Fayetteville.
Co-Lecturer, Psychosocial Aspects of Disability, RHAB 5453, University of Arkansas,
Spring 2003, Fayetteville.
Co-Lecturer, Placement of Persons with Disabilities, RHAB 5473, University of
Arkansas, Summer 2002, Fayetteville.
Graduate Assistant, Department of Rehabilitation Education and Research, University of
Arkansas, July 2001 - June 2002, Fayetteville.
Co-Lecturer, Introduction to Orientation and Mobility, Ed Psych 480, Louisiana Tech
University, Summer 2000, Ruston.
Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Louisiana Center for the Blind, September 1999 –
June 2001, Ruston.
Program Assistant, Office for Disabled Students, California State University, San
Marcus, CA, Spring 1998.
Research Assistant, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Summer
1997, Bethesda, MD.
Orientation and Mobility Instructor, Louisiana Center for the Blind, Youth Outreach
Program, Summers of 1994-1996, Ruston.
Instructional Assistant, New Mexico Commission for the Blind, December 1993 - March
1994, Alamogordo.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND PRESENTATIONS
Presenter, Preparing for the Implementation of Unified English Braille, National Council
of State Agencies of the Blind, Miami, FL, November 14, 2014.
Presenter, Unified English Braille: An Overview, New Mexico Commission for the
Blind, Albuquerque, NM, November 8, 2014.
Keynote Presenter, Structured Discovery Methods and Principles, Alabama Association
for Rehabilitation and Education of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Orange
Beach, AL. October 5, 2014.
Conference Organizer, 13th annual Conference, Contemporary Issues in Rehabilitation
and Education of the Blind, National Federation of the Blind, Orlando, FL, July 1,
2014.
Keynote Presenter, ―Where Do You Want to Go? Empowering Blind Kids to Find Their
Own Way,‖National Federation of the Blind of Illinoise, Chicago, IL, April 4-5,
2014.
Presenter, Structured Discovery Methods and Principles, ―Exploring all Options,‖
International O&M Conference, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of
the Blind and Visually Impaired, New Orleans, LA, December 12, 2013.
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Presenter, The National Reading Media Assessment, 13th Annual IDEA Leadership
Conference, Washington, D.C., July 29, 2013.
Presenter, The National Reading Media Assessment, Pacific Northwest Association for
Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Yakima, WA,
March 23, 2013.
Presenter, Adult Rehabilitation and Employment Survey: Final Results, National Council
of State Agencies for the Blind: Fall Training, San Diego, CA, November 15,
2012.
Grant Reviewer, ―Focused Initiatives Program,‖ National Institute on Disability and
Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education, March-June, 2012.
International Presenter, ―Structured Discovery Cane Travel Methods and Principles,‖ 14th
International Mobility Conference, Palmerstone North, New Zealand, February
15, 2012.
Presenter, ―The National Reading Media Assessment,‖ Getting in Touch with Literacy,
Louisville, Kentucky, December 8, 2011.
Conference Organizer and Moderator, First Annual Louisiana Teacher Training
Conference on Blindness and Visual Impairment, Lafayette, LA, September 30—
October 2, 2011.
Program Evaluator, Blindness: Learning in New Dimensions, National Blindness
Professional Certification Board, Minneapolis, MN, September 24, 25, 2011.
Conference Organizer and Moderator, ―Structured Discovery, The History, The Legacy,
and The Future,‖ 10th Annual Rehabilitation and Orientation and Mobility
Conference, Orlando, FL, June 30, 2011.
Grant Reviewer, ―Dissemination and Research Projects,‖ National Institute on Disability
and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education, April-June, 2011.
Conference Organizer and Moderator, ―Education: Top Down and Bottom Up,‖ 9th
Annual Rehabilitation Conference, hosted at the National Federation of the Blind
Convention, Dallas, TX, July 3, 2010.
Program Reviewer, Reverse Site Visit, Research on Disabilities Education Alliances for
Students with Disabilities, National Science Foundation, April 3-5, Arlington,
VA.
Grant Reviewer, Research on Disabilities Education, National Science Foundation, April
12-13, Arlington, VA.
Keynote Presenter, Exploring the User Experience, Learning with Disability: Winter
Workshop, Wright State University, December 3-4 2009, Dayton, OH.
Program Evaluator, Utah Department of Blind Services, Orientation Center, November 5,
2009, Salt Lake.
Program Evaluator, Research on Disabilities Education, National Science Foundation,
September 11 – 12, 2009, Arlington, VA.
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Presenter, National Certification in Literary Braille Testimony to the Virginia
Department of Education, August 4 – 5, 2009, Richmond.
International Presenter, Structured Discovery Cane Travel: A Method Used by Blind
Mobility Instructors, International Mobility Conference (13th), July 11-14, 2009,
Marburg, Germany.
Keynote Presenter, The Demand, The Crisis, The Solution in the Education of the Blind,
National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention, July 8, 2009, Detroit, MI.
Conference Co-host, Bridging the Gap Between Education and Rehabilitation, 8th Annual
Rehabilitation Conference, June 29, 2009, Detroit, MI.
Participant, Learning the Basics of Deaf-Blind Culture and Training, Louisiana Career
Development Center, March 25 – 27, 2009, Baton Rouge.
Personnel Trainer, Northlake Supports and Services, March 24 – 25, 2009, Hammond,
LA.
Program Reviewer, National Science Foundation, Research in Disabilities Education,
Mid-Western Alliance, March 8-11, 2009, Madison, I.
International Lecturer, Structured Discovery Cane Travel and Consumer-Based
Rehabilitation in the United States. A Lecture series delivered at the Eötvös Lorán
University, Bárczy Gusztáv, Special Education Department, December 1-5, 2008,
Budapest, Hungry.
Presenter, Consumer-Based Standards for Certification in Rehabilitation. ―Categorical
Services: Securing our Future through Advocacy, Collaboration and Education‖
Fall Conference. National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB),
November 15, 2008, San Diego, CA.
Plenary Panelist, "Leading the Way: Setting the Standard,‖ National Federation of the
Blind of Louisiana 36th Annual Convention, March 2008, Monroe.
Plenary Panelist, "What Can Rehab Do for My Child,‖ ABC’s of Blindness Conference,
Louisiana Tech University, March 2008.
Presenter, ―NOMC Trained Instructors,‖ Establishing Consumer-Focused Standards for
Blindness Rehabilitation, 2008 Winter Conference, January 2008, Washington,
DC.
Plenary Panelist, "Structured Discovery in the Classroom‖, Dare to Be Remarkable
Conference, National Federation of the Blind, December 2007, Baltimore, MD.
Participant, ―Touch of Genius Prize adjudication committee,‖ National Braille Press,
June 2007 – Present, Boston, MA.
Grant Reviewer, National Science Foundation, Research in Disabilities Education, May,
2007, Arlington, VA.
Moderator, Contemporary Issues in Orientation and Mobility and Blindness
Rehabilitation, 2007 Winter Conference, January 2007, Washington, DC.
Presenter, ―Learning and Self-Efficacy,‖ National Orientation and Mobility Certification
2007 Winter Conference, January 2007, Washington, DC.
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Presenter, ―Education and Rehabilitation of Visually Impaired Students: Facts and
Fiction,‖ Project ELEVATE, Louisiana Tech University, October 2006, Ruston.
Presenter, ―Professional Standards and Certification,‖ Foundations and Professional
Issues: The Rehabilitation Revolution, July 1, 2006, Dallas, TX.
Panel Moderator, ―Foundations and Professional Issues‖, Focus Group, January 29, 2006,
Washington, DC.
Presenter, "Promoting Professional Rehabilitation Practices in a Changing Environment,‖
Council of State Agencies for the Blind, November 10, 2005, San Diego, CA.
Advisory Board Member, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, June 2005
– Present, Baltimore, MD.
Presenter, "Understanding Results: Using Data to Make Policy Decisions," Public VR
Program: The Promise, The Peril and The Prospects, National Council of State
Agencies for the Blind, April 21, 2005, Bethesda, MD.
Guest Lecturer, ―Data Mining and Analysis,‖ RHAB 699, University of Arkansas, spring
2005, Fayetteville.
Expert Witness, Maryland Legislature, Senate Finance Committee, SB 489, "Division of
Services for the Blind-Establishment," February 24,
2005, Annapolis, MD.
Training Consultant, "Medical, Psychological and Social Impacts of Visual Impairment
and Blindness," California Department of Rehabilitation and San Diego
State University Interwork Institute, January 25 and 26, 2005, Ontario.
Plenary Panelist, "Positive Psychology," Challenges of Change: Strategies for Successful
Outcomes in Residential Training Centers for the Blind,‖ October 2004,
Nashville, TN.
Guest Lecturer, "Empowerment," RHAB 5463, University of Arkansas, October of each
year, 2001-2004, Fayetteville.
Planning Committee Participant, 31st Institute on Rehabilitation Issues (IRI), ―Consumer
Organizations: Important Resources for Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies‖ and
―Leading and Managing Change in Public Vocational Rehabilitation,‖, May 2004,
Washington, DC.
Co-Chair and Conference Planner, "Best Practices in Rehabilitation and Orientation and
Mobility", July 2003, Louisville, KY.
Editorial Committee Participant, 29th Institute on Rehabilitation Issues (IRI),
"Contemporary Issues in Orientation and Mobility", June 2003, Washington, DC.
Planning Committee Participant, 30th Institute on Rehabilitation Issues (IRI), "Innovative
Methods for Providing VR Services to Individuals with Psychiatric Disabilities"
and "A New Paradigm for Vocational Evaluation: Empowering the VR Consumer
through Vocational Information," May 2003, Washington, DC.
Co-Chair and Conference Planner, "Meeting the Need for Quality Orientation and
Mobility Training," January 2003, Washington, DC.
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Prime Study Group Participant, 29th Institute on Rehabilitation Issues (IRI) study group,
"Contemporary Issues in Orientation and Mobility," December 2002,
Philadelphia, PA.
Plenary Panelist, "An Alternative Teaching Model: Structured Discovery Cane Travel,"
Cutting Edge Practices: Expectations, Empowerment, Employment, November
2002, Albuquerque, NM.
Co-Chair and Conference Planner, "Serving the Blind Through Structured Discovery
Instruction and Performance-Based Certification,", July 2002, Louisville, KY.
Guest Lecturer, "Peer Counseling," RHAB 5463, University of Arkansas, November
2001, Fayetteville.
Guest Speaker, "Meeting Your Full Potential," Abilities Unlimited, October 2001,
Fayetteville, AR.
Guest Lecturer, "Introduction to Orientation and Mobility," Ed Psych 480, Louisiana
Tech University, December 1999, Ruston.
Guest Lecturer, "Social and Psychological Aspects of Blindness," Psych 490, Louisiana
Tech University, May 1999, Ruston.
Guest Lecturer, "Medical Aspects of Blindness," Louisiana State University Medical
Center, April 1999, Shreveport.
PUBLICATIONS
Associate Editor, Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research, National Federation of
the Blind Jernigan Institute, Open Journal Systems,: www.nfb-jbir.org, August,
2010—Present.
Editor, Critical Concerns in Blindness Book Series, Professional Development and
Research Institute on Blindness, Information-Age Publishing, Charlotte, NC, June
2005--Present.
Bell, E.C., Ewell, J.V., & Mino, N.M. (2013). National Reading Media Assessment:
Complete Report. Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research, 3(2). Retrieved
from: http://www.nfb-jbir.org/index.php/JBIR/issue/current. DOI:
http://dx.doi.org/10.5241/2F3-37
Bell, E. C. & Mino, N. M. (2013). Blind and Visually Impaired Adult Rehabilitation and
Employment Survey: Final Results. Journal of Blindness Innovation & Research
3(1). Retrieved from http://www.nfb-jbir.org.
Roland, M.P. & Bell, E.C. (2012). Measuring the Attitudes of Sighted College Students
Toward Blindness. Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research, National
Federation of the Blind, (2)2. doi: 10.5241/2-24.
Bell, E., & Silverman, A. (2011). Psychometric Investigation of the Social Responsibility
about Blindness Scale. The Journal Of Blindness Innovation And
Research, 1(2). Retrieved July 26, 2011, from
http://www.nfbjbir.org/index.php/JBIR/article/view/8
Edward C. Bell
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Bell, E. C. & Mino, N. M. (2011). A demographic study of National Orientation and
Mobility Certified instructors. Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research,
1(2). Retrieved from http://www.nfb-jbir.org/index.php/JBIR/article/view/7/27
Bell, E. C. (2011). The National Certification in Literary Braille. Journal of Blindness
Innovation and Research, 1(2). Retrieved from
http://www.nfb-jbir.org/index.php/JBIR/article/view/10/34
Bell, E. C. (2010). Competitive employment for consumers who are legally blind: A 10year retrospective study. Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development,
47(2), 109-116.
Bell, E. C. (2010). Mentoring transition-age youth with blindness. The Journal of Special
Education, 20(10), 1-11.
Bell, E. C. (2010). U.S. National Certification in Literary Braille: History and current
administration. (2010). Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 104(8), 489498.
Bell, E. C. (2010). The National Certification in Literary Braille. Division of Visual
Impairments Quarterly, Council for Exceptional Children, Spring, 55(2).
Ryles, R.N. & Bell, E. (2009, October/November). Participation of Parents in the Early
Exploration of Tactile Graphics by Children Who Are Visually Impaired. Journal
of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 103(10) 625-634.
Bell, E. (2008). ―Structured Discovery in the Classroom,‖ Braille Monitor, National
Federation of the Blind, Vol. 51, No. 2 February.
Maurer, M., Bell, E., Woods, E., & Allen, R. (2006). Structured discovery in cane travel:
constructivism in action. constructivist education, Phi Delta Kappan, Retrieved
from http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/k_v88/k0612mau.htm.
Bell, E. C. (2004). Comparing state vocational rehabilitation agencies with high versus
low rates of competitive employment for blind consumers: Defining quality
employment and describing effective service patterns (Dissertation Study).
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Dissertation Abstracts International.
Bell, E. (2004). "Blind Mobility Instructors." In D. W. Dew & G. M. Alan Contemporary
Issues in Orientation and Mobility, Institute on Rehabilitation Issues, 29, George
Washington University, Washington, DC.
Bell, E. & Bell, M. (2004). "Visual Impairments." In J. D. Andrew (Ed.) Disability
Handbook (pp.154-157). University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
Bell, E. (2003) "Structured Discovery Cane Travel." RRCEP6 Monograph, Cutting Edge
Practices: Expectations, Empowerment, Employment, Region VI - Rehabilitation
Continuing Education Center, Hot Springs, AR.
Morais, M., Lorensen, P., Allen, R., Bell, E., Hill A., Woods, E., (1997) ―Techniques
Used by Blind Cane Travel Instructors: A Practical Approach.‖ National
Federation of the Blind, Baltimore, MD.
Edward C. Bell
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RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS AND SURVEYS
National Orientation and Mobility Assessment (NOMA). Norm-Referenced instrument to
measure orientation and mobility behaviors to assess need and skill proficiency.
Under Development, National Federation of the Blind, and Professional
Development and Research Institute on Blindness, Louisiana Tech University,
October, 2010—Present.
National Reading Media Assessment (NRMA). Norm-Referenced instrument to measure
visual reading deficiencies to determine whether/when braille should be
introduced for literacy, National Federation of the Blind, and Professional
Development and Research Institute on Blindness, October, 2008.
Social Responsibility about Blindness Scale (SRBS). Norm-Referenced test of attitudes
and expectations about the condition of blindness, both interpersonal and public.
Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness, January, 2003.
National Orientation and Mobility Certification Examination. Criterion-Referenced test
of Structured Discovery Cane Travel orientation and mobility
knowledge/disposition used for professional credentialing. National Blindness
Professional Certification Board, June, 2005—August, 2009.
HONORS AND AWARDS
Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award, Presented to the Professional Development and Research
Institute on Blindness at Louisiana Tech University in the amount of $20,000,
National Federation of the Blind, Orlando, FL, July 8, 2011.
Blind Educator of the Year Award, National Federation of the Blind, July 3, 2008,
Dallas, TX.
Fredric K. Schroeder Award, National Blindness Professional Certification Board,
Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Travel Training for the Blind, June
2007, Atlanta, GA.
Miller Memorial Award, Phi Delta Kappa Honorary Association, Outstanding Doctoral
Student in the College of Education and Health Professions, University of
Arkansas, April 2003, Fayetteville.
E. Russell Baxter Award, Outstanding Doctoral Student in the Rehabilitation Education
and Research Program, University of Arkansas, April 2003, Fayetteville.
Rehabilitation Services Administration Scholarship, Doctoral Program, Rehabilitation
Education and Research, University of Arkansas, July 2001 - December 2004,
Fayetteville.
Rehabilitation Services Administration Scholarship, Master of Arts Degree Program,
Educational Psychology, Louisiana Tech University, May 1998 - August 1999,
Ruston.
Edward C. Bell
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National Federation of the Blind tenBroek Fellow Award, Continued Exceptional
Academic Performance, July 1998, Dallas, TX.
Mary P. Oslinger Award, Outstanding Academic Record by Blind Graduating Senior,
May 1998, Printston, NJ.
National Federation of the Blind Scholarship, Exceptional Academic Performance, July
1995, Chicago, IL.
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS
Chairman, National Orientation and Mobility Certified Trainer (NOMCT) Committee,
National Blindness Professional Certification Board, Ruston, LA, July 2010—
July 2013.
Chairman, Adjudication Committee, The Louis Braille Touch of Genius Award, National
Braille Press, Boston, MA, July 2008—Present.
Secretary/Treasurer, National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB), July
2007—Present.
Member Peer Resources Network, May 2005 – May, 2008.
Member, National Council on Rehabilitation Education, January 2007 – Present.
Board Member, National Blindness Professional Certification Board, June 2005—July,
2007.
Member, Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually
Impaired, November 2003 – December 2009.
Second Vice-President, National Federation of the Blind of Arkansas, October 2002 –
2004.
Board Member, National Association of Blind Rehabilitation Professionals, July 2002 Present.
Vice-President, National Association of Blind Students, July 1998 - June 2001; Board
Member, July 1995 - June 1998.
Secretary, California Association of Blind Students, October 1998 - November 1999;
Vice-President, October 1996 - November 1998; Board Member, October 1994 November 1996.
Vice-President, San Diego North County Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of
California, April 1997 - March 1998; Board Member, April 1995 - March 1997.
Member, National Federation of the Blind, August 1993 – Present.