Texas Tech University

The Virginia Murray Sowell Center for Research and Education in Sensory Disabilities

The Sowell Center promotes quality research to address the academic and social needs of school-age students with sensory disabilities and provides public service to assist local, national and international constituencies.

Sowell Center Activity Concerning Accessibility

Photo of a traffic intersection with a close-up on the pedestrian crossing instructional sign. The lower-third graphic reads "Coverage you can count on. TTU Blindness simulation program. Traffic Engineers from all over Texas"

Photo of Dr. Nora Griffin-Shirley instructing a blindfolded person with a white cane on how to navigate an intersection in downtown Lubbock.

Traffic engineers learn how it feels to be blind at TTU event

Traffic engineers participate in TTU blindness simulation

Sowell Center Provides Blindness Simulation to Traffic Engineers Association

Student Information & Deadlines

EDSP 5093 Course fee

Attention students in the teacher of students with visual impairments' program and orientation and mobility specialist's program:

Effective Fall semester 2012, all students who register for EDSP 5093, Internship in Special Education, who are not covered by a grant, will pay a course fee of $750.00 in addition to the tuition cost of the course. This money will cover costs incurred by the university internship supervisor's expenses, who will observe you teach.

University Scholarships

Apply now for Texas Tech University scholarships at www.scholarships.ttu.edu. This application will get you considered for academic and need based scholarships, but your college or department is probably using this application too! Maximize your scholarship opportunities by completing the Current Student Scholarship Application.

Reach Across Texas Application Information

Learn more about the Reach Across Texas program.

Financial Aid for Students With Disabilities

OnlineSchools.org has compiled a list of financial aid options for students with disabilities. View the complete guide here.

News & Events

Dr. Nora Griffin-Shirley presenting at a conference in India
Dr. Nora Griffin-Shirley presenting at a conference in India
Group Photo in India
Dr. Banda on a panel in India

On February 22nd - 23rd, 2024, Dr. Devender Banda and Dr. Nora Griffin-Shirley presented at Department of Visual Impairment, DSM National Rehabilitation University, Lucknow, and Perkins School for the Blind, USA, International Conference on 'Meeting Sustainable Development Goals for Children Having Multiple Disabilities with Visual Impairment & Deafblindness: Needs, Challenges, and Opportunities' at DSM National Rehabilitation University, Lucknow, India.

Dr. Griffin-Shirley was the keynote speaker and Dr. Banda presented on 'Management Of Behavioral Problems Of Visual Impairment With Other Disabilities.'

Community Outreach Activities

Members of the Sowell Center wrapping holiday presents at the Lubbock Supportive Living Center

Members of the Sowell Center wrapping holiday presents at the Lubbock Supportive Living Center

Contact Information

Director:

Nora Griffin-Shirley
n.griffin-shirley@ttu.edu
806-834-0225

General Contact:

Virginia Murray Sowell Center for Research and Education in Sensory Disabilities
P.O. Box 41071
Lubbock, TX 79409
806-742-2320