Dr. Natalie Carter Barraga Essay

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Dr. Natalie Carter Barraga was born on October 15, 1915 in Troy, Texas. She was married to Jack and had one daughter, Karen. Her daughter, Karen, had cerebral palsy and low vision. Because of her daughter, she began her research into visual impairments. Dr. Barraga graduated from the University of Texas (North Texas State Teacher’s College) with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics and Child Development in 1938. She obtained a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology (Special Education) from the University of Texas in Austin in 1958. Her Doctor of Education was from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in 1963. She was honored by numerous organizations for her research in the field of low vision. She was inducted into the APH Hall …show more content…

Barraga was renowned in the field of visual impairment. As a parent and a teacher, she realized that there was little research completed on low vision. The medical diagnoses were not enough to sufficiently be the bases for teaching practices for students with vision impairments. During her teaching career, she conducted extensive research in the field of visual impairment. The research she conducted was on the effects of visual interventions in students with low vision. A result of her research was the importance of encouraging students with low vision to use their vision. This was a shift away from trying to save sight by not utilizing it. Her research proved that efficiency can be helped through training and development. She developed a program that included a resource guide for teachers, an observation checklist and a curriculum for developing low vision efficiency. Also, she developed a visual efficiency scale and instructional materials for students with low vision. She taught workshops and seminars in 22 different countries. From 1968 to 1972, she was the editor of Education of the Visually Handicapped. In 1986, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to complete research and lecture at The University of Zagreb in Croatia. She contributed her knowledge from her research and experiences to many book chapters and articles for professional journals. She wrote her autobiography, If Anyone Can, You Can: The Story of My Life, in 2007 and it was published by the Texas

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