Envision Announces New Research Agreement With WSU

Wichita, Kan. – Envision and Wichita State University announced today that they have entered into a Collaborative Research Agreement that will guide joint projects geared toward improving the quality of life of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The agreement covers initiatives and programs related to research grants or funding, new studies and the development of technologies or techniques that can help individuals with vision loss achieve greater independence at home and in the community.

“This is a major milestone in the ongoing relationship between Envision and WSU that will add to our community’s image of being an incubator for innovation,” said Ron Schuchard, Ph.D., FARVO, executive director of the Gigi & Carl Allen Envision Research Institute. “Coming together in this way to share resources and expertise related to blindness and visual impairment sets the stage for significant advancements in vision rehabilitation research, patient care and assistive technology with worldwide implications.”

Through the Collaborative Research Agreement, WSU personnel will have access to Envision’s experts, facilities specifically designed with the challenges of vision loss in mind and an abundant on-site population of youth and adults who are blind or visually impaired. Such access will give them a real-life perspective on the impact their projects will have on people who are blind or visually impaired

Envision will benefit from utilization of WSU’s academic and research experts, student body and supporters, and its facilities to advance work conducted by: postdoctoral research fellows and scientists at the Envision Research Institute; Cathy G. Hudson Envision Child Development Center; William L. Hudson BVI Workforce Innovation Center; Bicknell Envision Vision Rehabilitation Center; and leaders of Envision Arts, support programs and public/professional education initiatives.

“Having a resource as dynamic as Envision nearby represents a fantastic opportunity to explore factual applications of concepts and theories produced in our classrooms and labs, and provides a clear channel through which the university’s vast resources can assist Envision in its ongoing mission,” said Dennis Livesay, dean of WSU’s College of Engineering.

About Envision: Envision (www.envisionus.com) promotes advocacy and independence for those who are blind or low vision. Founded in 1933, Envision is one of the largest employers of individuals with vision loss in the nation. Headquartered in Wichita, Kan., Envision’s mission is to improve the quality of life and provide inspiration and opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired through employment, outreach, rehabilitation, education and research. For more information, visit www.envisionus.com.

About Wichita State University: Wichita State is distinctive for opening pathways to applied learning, applied research and career opportunities, alongside unsurpassed classroom, laboratory and online education. The university’s beautiful 330-acre main campus is a supportive, rapidly expanding learn-work-live-play environment, where students gain knowledge and credentials to prepare for fulfilling lives and careers. Students enjoy a wide selection of day, evening and summer courses in more than 200 areas of study at the main campus and other locations throughout the metro area and online. WSU’s approximately 16,000 students come from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 other countries. Wichita State’s Innovation Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to the university’s vast resources and technology. For more information, follow Wichita State on Twitter at www.twitter.com/wichitastate and Facebook at www.facebook.com/wichita.state.

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