GEORGE J. ZIMMERMAN
5700 Bunkerhill St., #2208
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206-1182
412.760.2481 (Cellular)
412.624.7247 (Office)
EDUCATION
Vanderbilt University Ph.D. in Special Education, emphasis in research in blindness (Orientation and Mobility), December 1987
Dissertation: Effects of microcomputer and tactile aid simulation of novel environments on the spatial layout ability of persons who are congenitally totally blind
Western Michigan University M.A. in Orientation and Mobility, August 1976
Kutztown University B.S. in Elementary Education/Special Education, Visually Impaired, August 1973
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
September 1993 - Present University of Pittsburgh
Associate Professor and Coordinator
Vision Studies Program
August 2000 – August 2008 University of Pittsburgh
Associate Professor and Chairman
Department of Instruction and Learning
July 1993 - August 2000 University of Pittsburgh
Associate Professor and Associate Chairman
Department of Instruction and Learning
May 1994 -1997 University of Pittsburgh
Coordinator
Program in Special Education
August 1988 - August University of Pittsburgh
1993 Assistant Professor and Coordinator
Vision Studies Program
September 1987 - Vanderbilt University
July 1988 Project Coordinator
U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation, Research, and Demonstration.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (continued)
August 1987 - Peabody College of Vanderbilt University
December 1987 Instructor - Special Education for the Visually Impaired. Develop syllabus and taught course in Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye.
September 1984 - Vanderbilt University
May 1987 Doctoral Trainee - Special Education for the Visually Impaired. Develop syllabus and taught courses in Visual Impairment and Orientation and Mobility.
September 1984 - Peabody College of Vanderbilt University
August 1985 Graduate Research Assistant - To John J. Rieser and Everett W. Hill, Departments of Psychology and Special Education.
September 1985 - Peabody College of Vanderbilt University
August 1986 Director - Preschool Orientation and Mobility Project Resource Center. Managed, directed, and controlled operational and personnel activities for a southeast regional, federally funded resource screening center for preschool children with visual impairments.
September 1986 - Peabody College of Vanderbilt University
May 1987 Project Evaluator - Developed and established data management system to evaluate effectiveness of interventions with individuals who were deaf and blind, and possessed concomitant disabilities.
August 1979 - Boston College
August 1984 Lecturer - Developed syllabus, taught, and supervised graduate students in orientation and mobility.
Project Coordinator - Administered and supervised training grant for orientation and mobility services, Department of Mental Health, Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
July 1978 - Texas Commission for the Blind, Austin, TX
August 1979 O&M Director - Managed, directed, and controlled operational and personnel activities for statewide orientation and mobility services at Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center.
University Supervisor - Provided on-site supervision to orientation and mobility interns from four national universities.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (continued)
August 1977 - New Hampshire Low Vision Program, Derry, NH
July 1978 Low Vision Therapist - Developed and provided direct services in a statewide, nationally funded Innovations & Expansion grant. Provided orientation and mobility and low vision services.
August 1976 - Derry Public Schools, Derry, NH
July 1977 Teacher/Consultant - Itinerant orientation and mobility teacher for children who were visually impaired and possessed concomitant disabilities.
August 1974 - Provincetown Public Schools, Provincetown, MA
July 1975 Teacher/Consultant - Itinerant teacher for children who were visually impaired and possessed concomitant disabilities.
August 1973 - Northeastern Intermediate Unit #19, Scranton, PA
July 1974 Teacher - Itinerant teacher for children who were visually impaired and possessed concomitant disabilities.
UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE
University of Pittsburgh
Courses taught:
I&L 2500 - Foundations of Special Education
I&L 2530 - Anatomy of the Eye and Low Vision
I&L 2535 - Education of the Visually Impaired I
I&L 2537 - Anatomy, Physiology, and Educational Relevance of Eye Disorders
I&L 2538 - Technology for the Exceptional Learner
I&L 2540 - Foundations of Orientation and Mobility
I&L 2541 - Program Development: Orientation and Mobility
I&L 2543 - Braille and Nemeth Code
I&L 2750 - Techniques of Orientation and Mobility I
I&L 2850 - Practicum: Visual Impairment
I&L 2857 - Level 3 Internship: Orientation and Mobility
I&L 3515 - Doctoral Seminar: Vision Studies Research
George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University
SE 250 - Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye
SE 255 - Orientation and Mobility for Visually Impaired Children
SE 355 - Advanced Orientation and Mobility/Practicum
SE 356 - Seminar in Orientation and Mobility (Beginning)
SE 357 - Seminar in Orientation and Mobility (Advanced)
UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE (continued)
Boston College
ED 380 - Visual Handicaps: Physiology and Anatomy of the Eye;
Educational Implications of Eye Disorders
ED 484 - Introduction to Orientation and Mobility Practicum.
ED 583 - Foundations of Orientation and Mobility
ED 382 - Communications
ED 584 - Student Teaching (Peripatology).
ED 585 - Seminar in Peripatology.
ED 588 - Teacher Strategies for the Visually Handicapped.
ED 683 - Internship (Peripatology).
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES
University of Pittsburgh
Chair, Search Committee (Vision Studies Program), 2014-2015
Member, Advisory Committee for the Admission of Student Athletes, 2013-present
Member, University Fulbright Scholarship Committee, 2012-present
Chair, SOE Faculty and Staff Development Committee, 2009-2012
Member, BAE Committee, 2009-2011
Faculty Representative to HECSE, 1992-2011
Member, SOE Promotion and Tenure Committee, 2008-2010
Member, University Chair’s Retreat Committee, 2006-2007
Member, Dean’s Executive Committee, 2000-2008
Member, SOE Academic Affairs Committee, 1997-2000
Member, DIL Executive Committee, 1993- 2000
Member, Doctoral Fellowship Coordinating Committee, 1993-2000
Member, DIL Academic Affairs Committee, 1993-2000
Member, Dean’s Task Force on Admissions, 1999-2000
Member, Dean’s Task Force on Academic Advising, 1999-2000
Member, Committee on Sponsored Research, 1993-1999
Member, Dean’s Task Force on Distance Education, Summer 1997
Member, Dean’s Academic Program Priority Planning Task Force, Summer 1997
Member, DIL Technology Committee, 1992-1997
Member, University Senate, Student Affairs Committee, 1991-1997
Member, SOE Technology Committee, 1990-1996
Member, Provost's Advisory Committee on Undergraduate Programs, 1993-1996
Member, Promotion and Tenure Committee, 1993-1996
Member, Resources Committee, 1989-1996
Member, Teacher Education Steering Committee, 1991-1994
Coordinator of Admissions, Special Education, May 1989-1994
Member, Faculty Council, 1991-1994
Coordinator, Special Education Programs, Summer Sessions
Chair, Resources Committee, 1992-1993
Coordinator, DIL Brown Bag Seminars, 1991-1992
Coordinator, Pittsburgh Internal Campaign, 1989
Member, Faculty Search Committee, 1989-1990
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES (continued)
Vanderbilt University
Member, Student's Doctoral Committee (Peggy Ann Cummins), 1999 - present
Doctoral Student Representative, Faculty Evaluation Committee, 1986-1987
Doctoral Student Representative, Personnel Preparation Program for the Visually Impaired, 1984-1985
Boston College
Chair, Recruitment Committee, 1981-1982
Faculty Representative, Conduct Board, 1980-1984
CONSULTANT
2003 Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education
to Professionals, Tucson, AZ. - Ad-hoc university faculty consultant to issues
2009 related to national O&M certification.
2002 Florida International University, Miami, FL.
Content Consultant on Certification – Served as the certification content expert representing the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professional.
2002 American Printing House (APH) for the Blind, Louisville, KY.
National Consultant in O&M – Assisted APH staff and research team with O&M product line development.
2002 Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children, Pittsburgh, PA.
Program Advisory Member – Assist in the development of lessons in pre-orientation and mobility.
2001 National Association of State Directors of Special Education, Alexandria, VA.
Presenter – Blind Initiative Specialization Presenter to state directors of special education.
2000 National Plan for Training Personnel to Serve Children with Blindness and Low Vision, Reston, VA.
Steering Management Committee – Represent the AERBVI on this federally funded research project.
1999 Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Special Education, Harrisburg, PA.
Advisory Council, Comprehensive System of Personnel Development
CONSULTANT (continued)
1997 National Plan for Training Personnel to Serve Children with Blindness and Low Vision, Reston, VA
Steering Management Committee – Represent the AERBVI on this federally funded research project.
1996 Project Action, Pittsburgh, PA
Research Consultant - Advised ACCESS, Inc. in the development of an
observational survey instrument.
1995 Project Action, Pittsburgh, PA
Research Consultant - Advised ACCESS, Inc. in the development of
an observational survey instrument.
1994 Mohawk College, Brantford, Ontario
Program Consultant - Assisted Project Director with program development
and implementation of an O&M program.
1994 South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC
Program Consultant - Assisted Project Director with program development
and implementation of an O&M program.
1993 University of Massachusetts – Boston, Boston, MA
Program Consultant - Assisted Project Director with program development
and implementation of an O&M program.
1992 Veteran's Administration Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Research Consultant - Member of a national group responsible for
assisting scientists in the development of an Expert System on Task Safety
in Orientation and Mobility
1991 University of Arizona, Department of Special Education, Tucson, AZ
Program Consultant - Assisted Project Director with program development
and implementation of an O&M program.
1990 State of Kentucky, Department of Special Education, Louisville, KY
Program Consultant - Assisted State Task Force in developing program
strategies to improve services to children with visual disabilities.
1989 Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School, Vinton, IA
Research Consultant - Developed and analyzed a survey instrument to
determine the O&M personnel needs for the State of Iowa.
1988 George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Research and Curriculum Consultant - Developed assessment
procedures and protocol for a three year Rehabilitation Research and
Demonstration Grant.
CONSULTANT (continued)
1987 Veteran's Administration Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Reviewer - Consultant to research staff conducting spatial orientation studies
with aged persons who are blind.
1986 Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Philadelphia, PA
Curriculum Development - National consultant on a federally funded grant to
develop distance vision training curriculum for individuals who have low vision.
1984 Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Mental Health
Curriculum Developer - Orientation and Mobility for adults with intellectual
disabilities.
1984 Children's Museum of Rhode Island
Designed an exhibit to allow young children to experience various types of
simulated visual impairments.
PUBLICATIONS
Duvall, J., Pearlman, J., Karimi, H. A., Zimmerman, G. J., & Dias, M. B. (manuscript submitted).
Wayfinding challenges for people with visual and mobility disabilities. ASSETS Conference, 2015
Dias, M. B., Teves, E. A., Zimmerman, G. J., Gedawy, H., K., Belousov, S. M., & Dias, M. B.
(2015). Indoor navigation challenges for visually impaired people. In Indoor navigation and wayfinding, 0 vols., CRC Press, pp. 141-164. http://www.crcnetbase.com/doi/abs/10.1201/b18220-8
Karimi, H. A., Dias, M. B., Pearlman, J., & Zimmerman, G. J. (2014). Wayfinding and
navigation for people with disabilities using social navigation networks. EAI Endorsed Transactions on Collaborative Computing, 14(2): e5. http://eudl.eu/doi/10.4108/cc.1.2.e5
Karimi, H. A., & Zimmerman, G. J. (2013). Personalized accessibility location services
(PALS) on a cloud for individuals with sensory and physical disabilities. Annals of
Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Zebehazy, K. T., Zigmond, N., & Zimmerman, G. J. (2012). Ability or access-ability: Differential item functioning of alternate performance-based assessment test items for
students with visual impairments. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 106(6),
325-338.
Zebehazy, K. T., Zigmond, N., & Zimmerman, G. J. (2012). Performance measurement and accommodation: The situation of student’s with visual impairment on Pennsylvania’s alternate assessment. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 106(1), 17-30.
Zimmerman, G. J., Finkel, S. J., Holleran, M., Reichbaum, C. (2012). First response: Assisting
those with visual disabilities. Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh.
Grant Project funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Cooperative
Agreements.
PUBLICATIONS (continued)
Zimmerman, G. J., & Zebehazy, K. T. (2011). Vision impairments. In J. M. Kauffman &
D. P. Hallahan (Eds.), Handbook of special education. New York:
Routledge Publishers.
Zimmerman, G. J., Zebehazy, K. T., & Moon, M. (2010). Optics and low vision devices. In A. L. Corn & A. J. Koenig (Eds. 2nd), Foundations of low vision: Clinical and functional perspectives. New York: AFB Press.
Zimmerman, G. J., Renshaw, R. L., & Zebehazy, K. T. (2009). Orientation and mobility
specialists positioning at intersections. AER Report.
Renshaw, R. L., & Zimmerman, G. J. (2008). Using a tactile map with a 5-year-old visually
Impaired child. RE:view, 39(3), 113-121.
Zimmerman, G. J., Zebehazy, K. T., & Fox, L. A. (2006). Standardizing O&M observations in personnel preparation. Proceedings of the International Mobility Conference 12,
Hong Kong.
Zimmerman, G. J. (2007). This mattered to me. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness,
101(2), 119-120.
Zebehazy, K. T., Zimmerman, G. J., & Fox, L. A. (2005). Use of digital video to assess O&M
observation skills. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 99(10), 646–658.
Zebehazy, K. T., Zimmerman, G. J., Bowers, A. R., Luo, G., & Peli, Eli (2005). Establishing mobility measures to assess the effectiveness of night vision devices: Results of a pilot study. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 99(10), 663–670.
Zimmerman, G. J. (1997). The price of independence. In C. Holbrook, P. B. Smith, & B.
Brasher (Eds.), Replenishing the well: Insights and inspirations from the field of
visual impairment (pp. 67-68). Little Rock: Ozark Learning.
Corn, A. L., Ferrell, K. A., Spungin, S. J., & Zimmerman, G. J. (1997). What we know about
teacher preparation programs in blindness and visual impairment. Final Report: National
Policy Forum NASDSE on Training Educators to Work with Students Who Are Blind or
Visually Impaired, Contract No. HS92015001. Washington, DC: NASDSE.
Zimmerman, G. J., & Roman, C. A. (1997). Services for children and adults: Standard program
design. In B. B. Blasch, W. R. Wiener & R. L. Welsh (Eds.), Foundations of orientation
and mobility (2nd edition, pp. 383-406). New York: AFB Press.
Dodson-Burk, B., & Zimmerman, G. J. (1996). Determining eligibility for individuals with a visual
disability: Guidelines for evaluating environmental barriers. ACCESS Transportation
Systems, Inc. (Document # 95-0088). Washington, DC: Project ACTION/NIAT.
Zimmerman, G. J. (1996). Optics and low vision devices. In A. L. Corn & A. J. Koenig (Eds.), Foundations of low vision: Clinical and functional perspectives (pp. 115-142). New York: AFB Press.