Key Details
- Categories
- Workshop
- Course Code
- CPE25OIH
- Start Date
- 26 November 2025
- Time
- 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Course Information
Orientation to Haptics is an interactive workshop that will include an introduction to the history, principles, and practical uses of haptic communication across a variety of professional settings. Participants will learn the ground rules, explore foundational haptics, and begin to understand more advanced applications such as room mapping. Through guided partner activities, attendees will gain hands-on experience in both giving and receiving haptic communication. Sample haptics will include letting someone know where you are in space, informing that you have entered or are leaving the room, providing directives or directions, explaining the spatial orientation of items in relation to each other, and more. This workshop is geared towards direct service professionals gaining a clearer understanding of how to use haptics in everyday interactions as well as learn about its broader benefits aside from providing greater access for people who are DeafBlind.
This is a hands on, interactive workshop and is only available through in-person access.
Presenter
-
Dr Tara Brown-Ogilvie
Research and Accessibility Specialist at Helen Keller National CenterTara Brown-Ogilvie is the Research and Accessibility Specialist at Helen Keller National Center. Her role is to support a robust research program, collaborate with universities, and provide consultation on the inclusion of individuals who are DeafBlind in research activities.
She has enjoyed over 10 years of working with youth and adults who are Deafblind as a support service provider, vision rehabilitation therapist, tactile sign language interpreter, HKNC regional representative, and certified orientation and mobility specialist.
Tara is also a National Leadership Consortium in Sensory Disabilities (NLCSD) scholar with a Ph.D. in Special Education at University of Northern Colorado (UNCO). She also holds a M.S.Ed. with an emphasis in Orientation and Mobility along with a B.S. in Sign Language Interpreting.
Tara has co-authored several research articles related to visual impairment, Deafblindness, and disability support services. Her research interests include DeafBlindess, transition services, orientation and mobility, assistive technology, accessibility, and communication access.
