Tessa McCarthy

Dr. Tessa McCarthy is an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s Vision Studies Program. She holds expertise in teaching students with visual impairments and serves as a certified orientation and mobility specialist. Her research focuses on improving educational practices for visually impaired students, particularly in braille literacy and mobility strategies. Dr. McCarthy earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary English Education and French from the University of Kentucky, a master’s in Special Education from the University of Louisville, and a doctoral degree in Special Education from Vanderbilt University.

Her instructional interests include orientation and mobility techniques, single-subject research design, and statistical strategies for low-incidence populations. Key research areas are braille education, orientation and mobility for visually impaired individuals, and innovative teaching methodologies. She has led major grants including Project CRESTS (2019-2025) and Project COMBS (2017-2022), both funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Dr. McCarthy’s awards include the 2019 Alan J. Koenig Research in Literacy Award and the 2011 Outstanding Dissertation of the Year. She actively contributes to professional organizations like the Council for Exceptional Children and the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired.