Brenda J. Lightfoot
Program Associate
Brenda Lightfoot is a Program Associate with SEDL's Disability Research to Practice program. Her current work includes revising an online course on systematic reviews and developing distance-learning courses and materials. Dr. Lightfoot is also developing webcasts and teleconferences for a Community of Practice on Research Quality to help disability researchers expand their common understanding and jointly address issues related to research quality, standards, and guidelines. These efforts are part of the National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR) project, which provides support and resources for the effective use of disability and rehabilitation research.
Contact Information
You may contact Brenda J. Lightfoot at 512-391-6574
Dr. Lightfoot’s research interests include distance learning, counselor education and professional development, disability studies, and electronic research methods.
- Disability Research
Dr. Lightfoot has 10 years of experience providing academic counseling and support services to students with disabilities in a university setting. In addition, she has 5 years of experience conducting research studies on the use of distance learning and reflective practice in professional development for vocational rehabilitation counselors. - Technology
Dr. Lightfoot’s experience in the area of technology includes providing assistive technology assessments and recommendations for disability support services and developing distance-learning courses that incorporate universal design principles to accommodate students with disabilities.
Prior to joining SEDL in 2009, Dr. Lightfoot was an assistant professor of rehabilitation studies and rehabilitation counseling for the University of North Texas. In this position, she served as coordinator of undergraduate rehabilitation studies, taught undergraduate and graduate rehabilitation courses, and served as a faculty sponsor for the rehabilitation student organization. She has also served as a teaching assistant and research associate at the University of Texas, and as an academic counselor, instructor, and disability support services coordinator at Austin Community College. Education
Dr. Lightfoot holds a BA in journalism from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, and an MEd degree and a PhD in special education with a concentration in vocational rehabilitation counseling from the University of Texas at Austin. She is also a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Selected External Publications
- Hansmann, S., Lightfoot, B. J., & Saladin, S. P. (2007). Student perceptions of the learning environment and experiences of learning in an on-line rehabilitation counselor education course: A qualitative study. Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Journal, 1(1), 70–82.
- Lightfoot, B. J. (2007). Disclosing disability in an academic job search: Reflections on two approaches with different outcomes. In M. L. Vance (Ed.), Disabled faculty and staff in a disabling society: multiple identities in higher education (pp. 97–103). Huntersville, NC: Association on Higher Education and Disability.
- Lightfoot, B. J. (2005). Nature of vocational rehabilitation counselors’ reflective practices. Dissertation Abstracts International (UMI No. 3215941).
- How & why to infuse disability studies into a medical aspects course. National Council on Rehabilitation Education Conference, San Antonio, TX. Lightfoot, B. J. (2008, February).
- Online research: Pitfalls & possibilities. National Council on Rehabilitation Education Conference, San Antonio, TX. Lightfoot, B. J. (2008, February).
- Multiple voices and identities in higher education: Writings by disabled faculty and staff. Symposium proposal accepted for the Association on Higher Education and Disability Conference, Charlotte, NC. Snitker, M., Vance, M. L., Bell, C., Bowman, C., Lightfoot, B. J., & Stone, M. B. (2007, July).
- From the inside out: Disabled faculty and staff in a disabling society. Paper presented at the Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion, and Disability Conference, Columbus, OH. Vance, M. L., Bell, C., Bowman, C., Lightfoot, B. J., & Stone, M. B. (2007, April).