Garrett Pendergast, a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist at the Gulf Coast Blind Rehabilitation Center, VA, specializes in AT, Telehealth, Remote and in-person AT & ECC instruction, O&M, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. Certified as a CATIS, COMS, CVRT, and CTVI, Garrett holds three Master’s degrees: Vision Rehabilitation Therapy and O&M from Western Michigan University, and Special Education with a Visual Impairment Emphasis from the University of Arizona. He focuses on using diverse technologies and advanced teaching methods to improve the lives of those with vision loss.

Zaccheus J. Ahonle, Ph.D., CRC, is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Rehabilitation Counseling Program at MSU.  He holds a doctorate in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Texas at Austin and has more than 10 years of experience as a certified rehabilitation counselor, educator, and scholar. With a robust track record of publications and conference presentations, he is deeply committed to advancing the field of rehabilitation counseling and promoting service equity for underserved populations.

Stuart Rumrill is a research evaluation specialist at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he primarily works on evaluation efforts for the Illinois Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) project. His other work activities include research development and dissemination surrounding career development and work and well-being for people with disabilities and working closely with the Illinois Department of Human Services and other state vocational rehabilitation agencies to provide trainings and intensive technical assistance. 

Tyler Griffin is a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments with 12 years experience in the field.  He is currently employed at Sonja Biggs Educational Services (SBES) providing various service opportunities for students with visual impairments via a hybrid instructional model including braille and assistive technology support. Tyler is an active board member at large with the Mississippi Chapter of the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MAER).

Cheri earned her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from The University of Alabama-Birmingham in 1990. After practicing as a generalist OT, she specialized in Low Vision Rehabilitation. She completed her Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation in 2010 and her master’s degree in OT in 2012. Cheri holds a Specialty Certification in Low Vision Rehabilitation. She currently provides Low Vision Rehabilitation at the North Mississippi Medical Center Retina Center. She actively contributes to her field through conferences and guest lectures and serves on the MAER Education Committee.

Jamie Boydstun joined the National Research & Training Center on Blindness & Low Vision in 2023 as a research scientist, bringing expertise in manuscript development, and data collection, management, and analysis. Her current research explores assistive technology use, career mentoring, and employment outcomes and predictors for people who are blind or have low vision (B/LV). Her previous work focused on workforce, health, and transportation research. She earned a PhD in sociology from Mississippi State University.

Dr. Barbara Coatney, an educator, holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Mississippi. A background, Sp. Ed. Teacher, Administrator, and University Professor. In 2018, I was awarded the Minority Champion SBA award for training. In 2021, she represented Mississippi at the White House because of her ability to train in small business. In 2022, received the Give Award, Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence. She invented the Automated Time-Touch-Take Medication System for the blind and elderly. 

Ms. Dorothy L. Young is a graduate of Alcorn State University (B.S.); the University of South Alabama (M.S. in Counselor Education and Minor in Rehabilitation Counseling); and Belhaven University (Master’s in Management). In 2000, Ms. Young began work as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, with the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind. In the 2013, Ms. Young was promoted to the Director position for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind Services, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. Dorothy L. Young serves on the National Executive Leadership team as the Technology Chair for the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind. 

Megan Fleming is the Outreach Librarian for Talking Books Services at the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC), committed to providing training and promotion across the state for services provided by Talking Books. Megan holds a bachelor’s degree from Delta State and has served the public for 10 years, in both Bolivar and Madison counties. She looks forward to continuing to serve the public by connecting people with the valuable resources provided through Talking Books.