Garrison Tsinajinie - Blindness/Visual Impairment - University of Arizona

Garrison Tsinajinie is of the Black Streak Wood People (Tsi’naajinii) born into the Big Water Clan (Tótsohnii) from the Navajo Nation. 

Garrison completed both his Psychology B.A in 2010 and Special Education M.A in 2011 at the University of Arizona (UA). After completing his M.A, he worked as an Itinerant Teacher of the Visually Impaired with the Arizona Schools for the Deaf and Blind ­ Eastern Highlands Regional Cooperative for 5 years - primarily serving students of ages 3­-21 within several school districts on the Navajo Nation. During summer breaks, he also worked with the Navajo Nation Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation in working with adults with visual impairments in the areas of independent living skills and assistive technology. Most recently, he has worked with young adults transitioning from high school to work or higher education as an Orientation and Mobility Intern with the Southern Arizona Association for the Visually Impaired in Tucson, AZ. 

Garrison will return to the University of Arizona to complete doctoral study in Special Education. While a UA McNair Scholar and in collaboration with faculty mentors, Garrison found his appreciation for research by exploring self determination theory to promote independence, specifically among Native Americans with visual impairments. He would like to conduct further research to justify the improvement of services and funding for children and adults with visual impairments in native rural communities. In his spare time, Garrison enjoys listening to audiobooks, camping and taking road trips.