Vincent Martin, PhD

Senior Accessibility and Usability Engineer/Disability Subject Matter Expert

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

About

Vincent Martin is a Senior Accessibility Subject Matter Expert (SME) with over thirty years’ experience as a Rehabilitation Engineer, Usability and Accessibility Consultant, and Economic Forecaster. He specializes in disability and accessibility by providing analysis from the lens of a researcher that provides emphasis in integrating humans with disabilities into complex systems with a Technological and Sociological perspective as it relates to accessibility. He has a varied and unique background, which are all designed to facilitate accessible and usable architecture. This stems from his background in computer science, human computer interaction, engineering psychology, decision sciences, econometrics, and engineering. He holds several degrees, including a dual Doctorate in Economics and Systems Engineering, a Master's in Decision Sciences with an emphasis in Game Theory, and Master's of Science degrees in Human Computer Interaction and Computer Science. The latter Masters were earned from the Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech) where he became the First totally blind graduate and alumnus in the institute’s 140-year history. With a background as a research scientist and rehabilitation research engineer for the U. S. Veterans Administration, he utilized his background in engineering and engineering psychology to help design and test experimental wayfinding devices to assist with the research of low vision and blinded Veterans. Vincent also serves as a member of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency Advisory Board where as a gubernatorial appointee he helps to oversee the agency responsible for vocational and rehabilitation related services for the citizens of the State of Georgia. He has also served on the board of directors of the Georgia Radio Reading Service (GaRRS) for over twenty years and now serves as President. The GaRRS Board provides oversight and technical information for non-profit organization providing broadcast via various means including radio-based and digital device access to print material to visually impaired, blind, and individuals who have difficulty with the printed word throughout the state of Georgia. Vincent proudly represented the United States of America in many international athletic events including the 1996, 2000, and 2004 Paralympic games, and still holds national records in track and field.

Experience

  • Computing Graduate Student at Georgia Tech
    Jun 2013 - May 2018 · 5 yrs

    Sonification Lab

  • Health Research Scientist/ Rehabilitation Research Engineer at US Veterans Center of Excellence forAging Veterans with Low-vision
    Oct 2006 - Aug 2010 · 3 yrs 11 mos

    I was a research scientist at the VA in Decatur, Georgia. We do research into how blinded and low-vision veterans do wayfinding with their limited vision. We designed and tested devices to aid in this endeavor. This included emergency egress and overall navigation.

  • Americorps volunteer at Institute on Human Development and Disability/ University of Georgia
    2004 - Sep 2006 · 2 yrs 9 mos

    Volunteer who was based at the Shepherd Spinal center. I designed a database for teh pain management center and worked in disability advocacy.

  • Adaptive Technology Instructor at Center for the Visually Impaired
    Apr 1998 - Feb 2003 · 4 yrs 11 mos

    Taught assistive technology and office skills to visually impaired and blind clients