Understanding how ableism affects the health of children with visual impairments
Official title: Ableism as a Mechanism of Physical and Mental Health Inequities Among Children with Visual Impairment
Funded at Texas Tech University · NIH-11145842 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how negative attitudes and barriers in society affect the health of children who are blind or visually impaired, especially those from underrepresented communities, and it aims to understand their experiences to help improve their well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas Tech University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lubbock, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $746,801 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY036676-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11145842 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are blind or visually impaired.
✕Less likely to help
Children without visual impairments or those who do not experience ableism may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of ableism on the physical and mental health of children who are blind or visually impaired. It aims to explore how societal attitudes and barriers contribute to health inequities faced by these children, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. By examining the experiences of these children, the study seeks to identify the psychosocial factors that lead to poorer health outcomes. The research will utilize various methodologies, including surveys and interviews, to gather data on the lived experiences of children with visual impairments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and quality of life for children with visual impairments by addressing the societal factors that contribute to their health inequities.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically on ableism and its effects on children with visual impairments, studies on ableism in broader disability contexts suggest that addressing these issues can lead to significant improvements in health outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Adam Thomas — Texas Tech University
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Adam Thomas
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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.