About

Loana Mason, Ed.D., COMS

Hello! I am the director of the Visual Impairment Program at New Mexico State University. As an individual with a visual impairment, my professional objective is to utilize my personal insights in conjunction with my professional knowledge to mentor prospective teachers of students with visual impairments, certified orientation and mobility specialists, and developmental vision specialists so that they foster high self-esteem, self-determination, and appropriate interdependence in individuals with impaired vision.

Another aspect of my mission as a college assistant professor is to engage in scholarship aimed at improving outcomes for individuals with visual impairments. Thus, this blog represents a form of qualitative research called auto ethnography in which I use my personal experiences to illustrate socio-cultural phenomena related to ableism (i.e., prejudice and discrimination against people with disabilities). Topics related to ableism are nuanced, and my personal experiences are not representative of everyone with a visual impairment. Ideally, I hope that this blog facilitates a meaningful and respectful dialogue that helps make society more inclusive.

On a personal note, I am an auntie and a pet mom to a dog, two cats, and several fish. In my spare time I enjoy photography, reading, traveling, and baking.