Investigating how blind children learn words and develop vocabulary
Official title: Word Learning and Vocabulary Development in Blind Children
Funded at Northern Illinois University · NIH-11163819 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how blind children, ages 5 to 12, learn new words and build their vocabulary differently than sighted kids, and it aims to find better ways to help them learn language skills.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northern Illinois University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (De Kalb, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $52,684 |
| NIH project number | 3R16EY036101-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11163819 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are blind children aged 5 to 12 who are experiencing challenges in vocabulary development.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are sighted or those who do not fall within the age range of 5 to 12 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the unique challenges that blind children face in learning words and developing their vocabulary compared to sighted peers. It aims to understand how the lack of visual experience influences their language development, particularly focusing on the methods they use to learn new words, whether through speech or other means. By comparing the vocabulary growth of blind children aged 5 to 12 with that of sighted children, the study seeks to identify specific instructional approaches that could enhance educational outcomes for blind students. The research employs observational methods to gather data on word learning modes and channels, providing insights into effective teaching strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved educational strategies that better support vocabulary development in blind children.
How similar studies have gone: While research on language development in blind children is limited, this study aims to fill a gap in understanding and may build on previous findings in related fields.
Where this research is happening
-
Northern Illinois University
De Kalb, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harris, Lindsay Nicole — Northern Illinois University
- Study coordinator: Harris, Lindsay Nicole
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.