Karla Antonelli

Karla Antonelli is a Research Scientist at Mississippi State University's National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision (NRTC), the only federally funded center focused on employment outcomes for people with visual impairments. She holds a doctorate in cognitive science with specialized work in human factors and usability. Antonelli's research aims to empower individuals who are blind or have low vision through innovative resources and tools, directly addressing barriers to employment and independent living.

Her primary research focuses on developing accessible solutions like the "4to24" app—a customizable resource for parents of youth with visual impairments (ages 4–24) and the youth themselves (ages 16–24). This tool delivers age-appropriate guidance on critical skills including independent travel, social interaction, and daily living, while bridging information gaps in underserved rural areas. Field tests confirm its effectiveness in fostering parent-child communication and reinforcing goal-setting.

Research Interests:

• Improving employment outcomes for the visually impaired
• Cognitive science applications in assistive technology
• Human-centered design for accessibility tools
• Resource development for rural communities
• Usability testing and implementation