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Health Sciences; Medical Sciences

Walter Wittich

Visual Impairment and Rehabilitation

Professeur agrégé

École d'optométrie

Pavillon 3744, rue Jean-Brillant, room 230-45

514 343-7962

walter.wittich@umontreal.ca

Media

Labo Wittich 2023

Les membres du Labo Wittich

Le chercheur Walter Wittich

Walter Wittich est un chercheur passionné par différents projets qui concernent les personnes sourdes et aveugles.

Profile

Research expertise

Dr. Wittich’s research domains include basic sensory science, as well as medical, psychosocial, and rehabilitation approaches to sensory loss. Coming from a background in age-related vision loss, he now conducts research in dual sensory impairment and deaf-blindness. Specifically, he examines the use and usability of assistive technologies intended to improve quality of life and social participation of older adults with sensory impairment.

Biography

Originally from Germany, Dr. Wittich pursued a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Psychology (Concordia U) and a PhD in Visual Neuroscience (McGill). He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in audiology at the Centre de recherche of the Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal. He became a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry in 2011 and in 2012 was certified by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals as Quebec’s first Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT).

Awards and recognitions

2021 Bravo Recherche (https://distinctions.umontreal.ca/luniversite-honore/bravo-recherche/) Édition spéciale COVID-19, hommage aux chercheurs et aux chercheuses qui ont remporté des prix ou distinctions, qui ont obtenu une chaire ou une subvention majeure au cours de l’année, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada

2020 10th Annual JT Award, Canadian Helen Keller Centre, Toronto, ON

2018 Envision Research Award, Envision Conference, Wichita, KS

2008 Constance W. Atwell Award, ARVO Low Vision Research Group – Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology/ARVO (500 $), Fort Lauderdale, FL

education

  • 2012 — Postdoctorat (audiologie/sciences biomédicales) — Génie biomédical, AudiologieUniversité de Montréal
  • 2006 — M.A. — PsychologieUniversité Concordia
  • 2004 — B.Sc. — PsychologieUniversité Concordia
  • 2010 — PhD — NeurosciencesUniversité McGill

Affiliations and responsabilities

Research affiliations

Research units

Membre

  • CRIR/Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal (https://www.llmrc.ca/) 
  • Réseau québécois de recherche sur le vieillissement (RQRV) du FRQS (http://www.rqrv.com/en/)
  • Réseau de recherche en santé de la vision du FRQS (https://reseauvision.ca/)_

Affiliated institutions

  • Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitain (CRIR)
  • CISSS Montérégie-Centre – Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille (INLB)

Professional titles and affiliations

Titles: corporations and professional organizations

2023 - en cours: Étude longitudinale canadienne sur le vieillissement - Groupe de travail clinique; Membre de l'équipe consultative - Mesures de la vision / 2023 – ongoing: Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging -  Clinical Working Group; Advisory Team member - Vision Measures

University service and activities

Activities within organizations or entities of the institution

2021  Comité évaluation scientifique, Université de Montréal Doctorat - Bourses d'excellences ESP 2021-2022

2021 Comité - nomination professeurs – Hiring Committe   Professeur en orientation & mobilité

2021  Comité - nomination professeurs – Hiring Committe  Professeur en soins oculaires

2020   Comité évaluation scientifique, Université de Montréal Doctorat - Bourses d'excellences ESP 2020-2021

2018  Bourse de mobilité - Evaluation Committee, MSc, internal ranking École d’optometrie, Université de Montréal, Committee Member

2018   Fellowship Evaluation Committee, PhD – NSERC, internal ranking  École d’optometrie, Université de Montréal, Committee Member

2018   Fellowship Evaluation Committee, Master’s level: Comité d’évaluation des bourses d’excellence de la FESP (maîtrise), Committee Member

2017 - now Scientific Committee & Organizing Committee, 19e Symposium scientifique sur l’incapacité visuelle et la réadaptation; Chair

2016 -2022  Fellowship Evaluation Committee, PhD - Bourses d’excellence de la Faculté    des études supérieures et postdoctorales 2016-2017, Committee Member

2016 – present  Admissions Interview Committee – Clinical Master’s in Vision Science program (Low Vision, Rehabilitation Therapy, Orientation & Mobility), Chair École d’optometrie, Université de Montréal.

2016 – 2019  Master’s degree internal review committee, School of Optometry, University of Montreal

2015– 2017  Admissions Interview Committee – Orientation & Mobility DESS program École d’optometrie, Université de Montréal. Committee Member

2015 – 2018 Admissions Interview Committee – Doctoral degree in OptometryÉcole d’optometrie, Université de Montréal. Committee Member

2015 - present  Scientific Committee – Harland Sanders Chair for Vision Science École d’optometrie, Université de Montréal. Committee Member

Administrative responsibilities

Directeur de programme - Maîtrise en sciences de la vision, option Intervention en déficience visuelle (anglais et français) 

https://admission.umontreal.ca/programmes/maitrise-en-sciences-de-la-vision-option-intervention-en-deficience-visuelle-anglais/

Teaching and supervision

Student supervision

Post-doctoral Supervision

May 2021 – Aug. 2022 Zakia Hammouni, Ph.D. Title: Vers un environnement inclusif du Campus de l’Université de Montréal: Une étude exploratoire; Funding: l’Université de Montréal – operating funds

Sept 2019 – April 2023 Atul Jaiswal, Ph.D. Preparing the Canadian health care system to meet the needs of older adults with vision and hearing impairments and their caregivers Funding: CIHR Health Systems post-doctoral fellowship ($ 155,000 over 2 yrs); FRQ-S post-doctoral fellowship ($ 135,000 over 3 yrs - partially declined)

Sept 2020 – June 2021 Shikha Gupta, Ph. D. Title: Exploring employment, education and technology use outcomes for Canadians who are blind, deafblind, partially sighted or hearing impaired, using the Canadian Survey on Disability; Funding: FRQS - Quebec Vision Health Research grant, FRQS Reseau de recherche en santé de la vision Recruitment Fellowship ($ 8,000)

Feb 2018 - Jan 2020 Andrea Urqueta Alfaro, Ph.D. Title: Early detection of sensory impairment (vision and hearing) at font-line health services: A study to examine standardized assessments in older adults; Funding: CRIR fellowship ($20,000 over 1 yr), INLB fellowship ($ 30,000 over 1 yr) & Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration and Aging

Oct. 2017 – Sept. 2018 Anni Marjukka Hämäläinen, Ph.D. Title: The interactions of sensory, cognitive and social factors and their influence on the health and quality of life of older Canadians; Funding: CIHR Catalyst grant & RQRV supplement

June 2014 – Mar. 2015 Florian Grond, PhD (Co-Supervisor) Department of Psychology, Concordia University; Title: Audible Pointers from the Real World: A Guidance System for Blind and Sighted Shoppers in the MALL, Funding: CRIR Post-doctoral fellowship ($ 15,000)

June 2013 – July 2015  Sarah Fraser, PhD (Co-supervisor) School of Social Work, McGill University, Title: Qualitative assessments of older adults with acquired sensory impairment, Funding: Quebec Ministry of Family & Aging grant

Theses and dissertation supervision (Papyrus Institutional Repository)

2022

L'évaluation cognitive d'individus atteints de déficience(s) sensorielle(s)

Graduate : Dumassais, Shirley
Cycle : Master's
Grade : M. Sc.
2021

Factors related to braille acquisition among adult and senior learners : establishing evidence-based practice

Graduate : Martiniello, Natalina
Cycle : Doctoral
Grade : Ph. D.
2020

Understanding the Use of Head-Mounted Displays by Individuals with Low Vision : The case of eSight

Graduate : Lorenzini, Marie-Céline
Cycle : Doctoral
Grade : Ph. D.

Theses and dissertation supervision

Maîtrise en sciences de la vision, option Intervention en déficience visuelle:

Ongoing: Bonheur Noella TWAHIRWA, Supervisor (w/ N. Martiniello and J. Nemargut); Title: Feasibility of tele-rehabilitation for guide dog users receiving orientation and mobility services; Funding: none

Ongoing: Mark Agyenim BOATENG, Supervisor (w/ N. Martiniello and J. Nemargut); Title: Feasibility of tele-rehabilitation for guide dog users receiving orientation and mobility services; Funding: none

Ongoing: Jessica RATHWELL, Supervisor (w/ Natalie Martiniello); Working Title: contemporary braille technology; Funding: Bourse de maitrise pour les candidates ou candidats Canadiennes non-redidents du Quebec ($ 9,167)

Ongoing: Amanda LATULIPE, Supervisor (with Aaron Johnson); Title: The Effects of Fixation Stability on Balance Confidence; Funding: none

Ongoing: Hamidreza ARMINPARVIN, Supervisor (with C. Auger & J. Renaud); Working Title: Scoping review of vision rehabilitation follow-up techniques; Funding: none

Ongoing: Leif HENRICHS, Supervisor (with C. Auger & J. Renaud); Working Title: Scoping review of vision rehabilitation follow-up techniques; Funding: Bourse de maitrise pour les candidat(e)s Canadiens non-résidents du Québec, Faculté des Études supérieures et postdoctorales, Université de Montréal ($ 8,900)

Dec 2023: Fereshteh KHODAYARI, Supervisor (with N. Martiniello & J. Nemargut); Title: Development of a decision tree for O&M tele-rehabilitation; Funding: none

Dec 2023: Mina ESLAHI, Supervisor (with N. Martiniello & J. Nemargut rgut); Title: Development of a decision tree for O&M tele-rehabilitation; Funding: none

Dec 2023: Muhammad Ismail KHAN, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: WHO ICF development of a core set for deafblindness: Survey with professionals; Funding: none

Dec 2023: Ali JAFARI, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: Developing a core set for deafblindness using the WHO ICF; Funding: none

Dec 2023: Mohammad Sina KOKABIAN, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: WHO ICF development of a core set for deafblindness: Survey with professionals; Funding: none

April 2023: Gauri PATEL, Supervisor – discontinued; Funding: Bourses conjointes l'École d'optométrie (ÉOUM) et les Études supérieures et postdoctorales (ESP) de l'Université de Montréal 2020-2021 $ 4,500; CCNA operating funds

Feb. 2023: Muneeb ULLAH, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal) – discontinued; Title: WHO ICF development of a core set for deafblindness: Survey with professionals; Funding: none

Dec. 2022: Rebecca AMAR, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: Tele-healthcare for older adults with sensory loss: Perspectives for hearing and eye care providers in Canada; Funding: none

Dec. 2022: Vanessa SOLDANO, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: Tele-healthcare for older adults with sensory loss: Perspectives for hearing and eye care providers in Canada; Funding: none

Dec. 2022: Eghonghon Juliet IBHAZE-BAROR, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: Exploring the profile and training needs of Long-Term Care staff assisting older residents with dual sensory impairment; Funding: $ 11,560 tuition remission fellowship - Bourse de maîtrise pour les candidates ou candidats canadiens non-résidents du Québec – science de la vision

Dec. 2022: Sila KARACOVA, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: Exploring the profile and training needs of Long-Term Care staff assisting older residents with dual sensory impairment; Funding: none

Dec 2021: Chantal KREIDY, Supervisor; Title: Understanding the impact of face masks on the use of echolocation for persons with visual impairments during COVID-19: International cross-sectional survey, Funding: none

June 2021: Emilie PAROLIN, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal); Title: Depression among Individuals with Acquired Vision impairment - Causes, Factors influencing, and impact on Quality of life, Funding: none

June 2021: Talar TCHERKEZIAN, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal) Title: Depression among Individuals with Acquired Vision impairment - Causes, Factors influencing, and impact on Quality of life; Funding: none

Directed Studies

Doctorat en Optometrie (1e cycle)

April 2023 Samuel Coté, Supervisor, Title: Aides optiques pour l’albinisme: quels sont les impacts visuels qui subsistent et quelles solutions pourraient y répondre?

April 2023 Jérémie Boulanger, Supervisor; Title: Aides optiques pour l’albinisme: quels sont les impacts visuels qui subsistent et quelles solutions pourraient y répondre?

April 2023 Virginie Boudreau, Co-Supervisor (with L. Michaud): Title: Les optométristes et la sensibilisation au don de cornée au Québec

April 2023 Florence Jobin, Co-Supervisor (with L. Michaud) Title: Les optométristes et la sensibilisation au don de cornée au Québec

August 2021 Samuel Coté, Supervisor (with A. Jaiswal) - Summer research internship 2nd year undergraduate Optometry student; Title: Development of the WHO ICF core set for deafblindnessFunding: FdeRC – University of Montreal, Optometry ($ 4,500)

Apr. 2022 Fatima Tangkhpanya, B.Sc. – Supervisor; Title: The reading rehabilitation of older adults with low vision: an investigation of the usability of the OrCam MyEye 2.0 as a reading assistive device; Funding: FdeRC – University of Montreal, Optometry ($ 4,500)

June 2021 Alexandra Laplante Co-Supervisor (with E. Bitton); Title: Endettement des étudiants en optométrie au Canada

June 2021 Gabrielle Hurteau Co-Supervisor (with E. Bitton) Title: Endettement des étudiants en optométrie au Canada

June 2021 Stephanie Huang – Supervisor; Title: La relation entre les facteurs reliés aux parents et aux professionnels de la santé et la communication chez les enfants et jeunes adultes atteints de surdicécité et de déficience cognitive : une revue de portée

June 2021 Geneviève Major – Supervisor; Title: La relation entre les facteurs reliés aux parents et aux professionnels de la santé et la communication chez les enfants et jeunes adultes atteints de surdicécité et de déficience cognitive : une revue de portée
August 2019 Fatima Tangkhpanya – Supervisor (Summer research internship) 2nd year undergraduate Optometry student; Title: Maternal Sensitivity and Attachment in Children with Visual Impairment Funding: FdeRC – University of Montreal, Optometry ($ 4,500)

June 2019 Roxanne Arsenault, Co-Supervisor (with E. Bitton) Title: Is Dry Eye a Consideration by Optometrists Treating Low Vision Patients?

June 2019 Genevieve Bournonniere-Sirard, Co-Supervisor (with E. Bitton) Title: Is Dry Eye a Consideration by Optometrists Treating Low Vision Patients?

August 2018 Fatima Tangkhpanya – Supervisor (Summer research internship) 1st year undergraduate Optometry student; Title: The rehabilitation of older adults with low vision: The importance of cognition and hearing status to ensure rehabilitation success; Funding: FdeRC – University of Montreal, Optometry ($ 4,500)

May 2018 Lorie St.-Amour, Supervisor; Title: The audibility of low vision devices with speech output used by older adults with dual sensory impairment

Apr. 2017 Diana Brindina, Supervisor; Doctorate in Optometry, School of Optometry, University of Montreal; Title: L'iPad comme aide technique pour les activités quotidiennes en bassevision

Apr. 2017 Myriam Nadeau, Supervisor; Title: L'iPad comme aide technique pour les activités quotidiennes en basse vision

Apr. 2017 Ariane Labonte Boyer, Supervisor; Title: L'iPad comme aide technique pour les activités quotidiennes en basse vision

Apr. 2017 Mylene Leger, Supervisor; Title: L'iPad comme aide technique pour les activités quotidiennes en basse vision

Apr. 2017 Cassie Anne Ellis, Supervisor; Title: La comparaison de différents niveaux de luminance et de leurs effets sur le seuilde lecture et la préférence en lecture de patients normaux et en déficience visuelle à l’aide de l’appareil LuxIQ

Apr. 2017  Catherine Rondeau, Supervisor; Title: La comparaison de différents niveaux de luminance et de leurs effets sur le seuilde lecture et la préférence en lecture de patients normaux et en déficience visuelle à l’aide de l’appareil LuxIQ

Stages and Others

June 2021 – ongoing Caroline Gravel, Co-supervisor (with Prof. Dr. Markus Dederich) Doctoral student, Faculty of Human Sciences; Department of Therapeutic Education & Rehabilitation Science; University of Cologne, Germany [Universität zu Köln; Bereich Heilpädagogik & Rehabilitationswissenschaften] Title: Deafblindness, Technology and Participation [Taubblindheit, Technik und Teilhabe]

Sept. 2020 – ongoing Jana Martin, Co-supervisor (with Prof. Andrea Wanka) Doctoral student, Fakultät für Erziehungs- und Sozialwissenschaften [Faculty of Education and Social Sciences], Heidelberg University of Education, GermanyWorking Title: Vocational rehabilitation in deafblindness/dual sensory impairment [Berufliche Rehabilitation bei Taubblindheit/Hörsehbehinderung]

May 2020 Gabrielle Aubin – Supervisor (B.Sc. Honors in Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Montreal) Title: Sensory and cognitive changes in older adults completing a low vision rehabilitation intervention

Dec. 2014 Jessica Wilson, Co-Supervisor (w/ Aaron Johnson) B.A. Student, Department of Psychology, Concordia University

June 2014  Christina Nadon, Co-Supervisor (w/ Aaron Johnson) B.A. Honors Student, Department of Psychology, Concordia University

July 2011 Maria Martinez, Summer research internship (12 weeks), Baccalauréat en science biomédical, University of Montreal

Jury Member

PhD

Membre du jury 2019 - Candidate: Simona Manescu, Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal; Title: Chemosensory perception in sighted and blind populations, Supervisors: Franco Lepore & Johannes Frasnelli

Membre du jury November 2017 – Candidate: Sébrina Aubin, Sciences neurologiques, Université de Montréal, Title: L’influence de la cécité sur le rythme circadien et le sommeil, Supervisor : Maurice Ptito

MSc. - Recherche

Membre du jury: 2020 October – Candidate: Ismaël Djerourou, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Title: Navigation spatiale avec des systèmes de substitution sensorielle tactiles dans la cécité précoce et tardive

Membre du jury: 2017 April – Candidate: Michèle MacLean, Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, maîtrise en psychologie, Title: Novel methods to evaluate blindsight, study the effects of cholinergic stimulation on training and perceptual learning, and develop rehabilitation strategies for hemianopic patients using MRI and tACS

Président du jury: 2016 March – Candidate: Robyn Pakdaman Lahiji, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Masters in Vision Science, Title: Assessing the transfer of video game play versus attention training using 3D-Multiple Object Tracking

M.Sc. Clinique

Examinateur de thèse: April 2019 – Candidate: Danny Riszk, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Clinical Masters in Vision Rehabilitation, Title: The Impact of Smart Speakers as Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVAs) on Functionally Blind Individuals

Examinateur de thèse: December 2018 – Candidate: Olivia Souaid, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Clinical Masters in Vision Rehabilitation, Title: The Effect of Fixation Stability on Balance in Older Adults with and without Age-Related Macular Degeneration using the Cave Automated Virtual Environment

Examinateur de thèse: March 2016 – Candidate: Christina Nadon, School of Optometry, University of Montreal, Clinical Masters in Vision Rehabilitation, Title: Investigating the link between age-related macular degeneration and mild cognitive impairment as a function of drusen characteristics

Other educational activities

Continuing Education Courses

Wittich, W. (2016). Acquired deafblindness: Identify and treating a complex aging population, Envision University, Wichita, KS., 3-hours; ACVREP: 4, AOTA: 0.4, CPC: 4, COPE: 3,

Wittich, W. (2014). Training of Occupational Therapists in Sensory Impairment: Are we doing enough?  Envision 2014, Minneapolis, MN, 1-hour, ACCME: 1, ACVREP: 1, AOTA: 0.1, COPE: 1, CPC: 1, CRCC: 1

Projects

Research projects

2021 - 2026

Avoiding pitfalls in virtual care: paving the road for more ethical and equitable policies and practices in rehabilitation

Lead researcher : Dahlia Kairy
Funding sources: IRSC/Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-(PJT) Subvention Projet
2021 - 2026

Experiences of older people with vision impairment listening to audiobooks and podcasts

Lead researcher : Bjorn Herrmann
Co-researchers : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: CRSH/Conseil de recherches en sciences humaines du Canada
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Subvention Savoir
2021 - 2026

Prévention du déclin cognitif lié à l'âge : un programme multidomaine à distance avec et pour les personnes âgées et leur communauté au Québec

Lead researcher : Sylvie Belleville
Co-researchers : Walter Wittich , Edeltraut Kroger
Funding sources: FRQSC/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Société et culture (FQRSC)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-(AC) Actions concertées - générique
2021 - 2025

Appuyer les intervenants en CHSLD à offrir de meilleurs soins aux personnes âgées ayant une perte de vision et/ou d'audition en pandémie (COVID-19) : Une approche collaborative intersectorielle de transfert de connaissances

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Co-researchers : Aaron Johnson , Machelle Wilchesky
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Plateforme de financements de la recherche intersectorielle sur le vieillissement - volet Appel à solutions
2023 - 2024

RÉSEAU DE RECHERCHE EN SANTÉ DE LA VISION (RRSV) / Development of a Core Set for deafblindness using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health – Phases 2 and 4

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Co-researchers : Michel Cayouette
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Réseaux thématiques de recherche
2022 - 2024

Development of a Core Set for Deafblindness using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health-Phase 3

Funding sources: Services canadiens de l'ouïe/Canadian Hearing Services
Grant programs:
2022 - 2024

Bridging a knowledge-to-practice gap: How to screen cognitive function in older adults with sensory impairment.

Lead researcher : Howard Chertkow
Co-researchers : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: IRSC/Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-(CAN) Consortium canadien en neurodégénérescence associée au vieillissement
2022 - 2024

Faisabilité de la télé-réhabilitation pour répondre aux besoins d'orientation et de mobilité des personnes atteintes de déficience visuelles pendant COVID-19 : Développement et évaluation d'un protocole de prise de décision

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: MSSS/Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
Grant programs:
2021 - 2024

Avoiding pitfalls in virtual care: paving the road for more ethical and equitable policies and practices in rehabilitation

Lead researcher : Dahlia Kairy
Funding sources: Fondation AMC/CMA Foundation
Grant programs:
2020 - 2024

Co-Creation of Leisure Experience in an Inclusive and Accessible Theatre Space: The case of the Segal Centre for Performing Arts - Innovations sociales et technologiques en adaptation-readaptation: Vers une societe quebecoise plus inclusive

Lead researcher : Philippe Archambault
Co-researchers : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Initiative de recherche intersectorielle - Société inclusive
2020 - 2024

Consortium canadien en neurodégénérescence associée au vieillissement CCNV - CCNA Team 17 - Phase 2 - knowledge translation activities and knowledge implementation research

Lead researcher : Howard Chertkow
Co-researchers : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: IRSC/Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Subvention de réseau
2022 - 2023

Réseau RRSV // ORVIS: un répertoire d'outils pour la réadaptation de la vision

Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Réseaux thématiques de recherche
2021 - 2023

Development of a tool for the assessment of employer preparedness to engage people with visual impairment

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: MITACS Inc.
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Stage Accélération Québec - MITACS
2020 - 2023

Words on the Brain: Can Reading Rehabilitation for Age-Related Vision Impairment Improve Cognitive Functioning?

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: IRSC/Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-(PJT) Subvention Projet
2021 - 2022

Learning from Lived Experience with Sensory Impairment: Work-study opportunity for a student with vision impairment

Funding sources: Fondation Habilitas
Grant programs:
2021 - 2022

Consortium canadien en neurodégénérescence associée au vieillissement CCNV - CCNA - Test-retest reliability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Blind: Comparing in-person with telephone administration

Lead researcher : Howard Chertkow
Co-researchers : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: IRSC/Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Subvention de réseau
2021 - 2022

Building capacity of clinicians in responding to sexual stimulatory behaviours in young adults with deafblindness

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: Fondation de l'Institut de réadaptation de Montréal
Grant programs:
2020 - 2022

Réseau Québécois de Recherche sur le Vieillissement - Préparation aux pandémies pour les personnes âgées souffrant de perte auditive et visuelle en évaluant les barrieres aux soins de santé et a l'information sur la santé durant et apres la COVID-19

Co-researchers : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Réseaux thématiques de recherche
2020 - 2022

Réseau de Recherche en Santé de la Vision - Exploring employment, education and technology use outcomes for Canadians who are blind, deafblind, partially sighted or hearing impaired, using the Canadian Survey on Disability

Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Réseaux thématiques de recherche
2020 - 2022

Déclin cognitif lié à l’âge associé à la déficience visuelle et auditive combinée: Explorer les associations, élaborer de nouvelles interventions et mettre en oeuvre l'innovation

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Bourse de chercheur-boursier : Junior 2
2021

JL - Covid-19 et déficience visuelle : l'impact du port du masque sur l'utilisation de l'écholocalisation dans les déplacements des personnes avec une déficience visuelle

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: MSSS/Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
Grant programs:
2018 - 2021

Les mots et le cerveau: Est-ce que la réadaptation en lecture pour les personnes ayant une dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge peut améliorer le fonctionnement cognitif? --- Words on the Brain: Can Reading Rehabilitation for Age-Related Macular Dege...

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Recherches sur la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge (DMLA)
2019 - 2020

Co-Creation of Leisure Experience in an Inclusive and Accessible Theatre Space: The case of the Segal Centre for Performing Arts

Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Initiative de recherche intersectorielle - Société inclusive
2019 - 2020

Réseau RQRV // A web-based system for systematic assistive technology follow-up of older adultswith visual impairment and their caregivers(MOvIT-vision)

Lead researcher : Claudine Auger
Co-researchers : Jean Renaud , Catherine Vincent , Walter Wittich , Martine Guay
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Réseaux thématiques de recherche
2018 - 2020

Factors Related to Braille Acquisition Among Adult and Senior Learners: Establishing Evidence-Based Practice

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: MITACS Inc.
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Stage Accélération Québec - MITACS
2017 - 2020

Early detection of sensory impairment at front-line health services: A study to examine standardized assessments in older adults with cognitive impairment

Lead researcher : Howard Chertkow , Dawn Guthrie
Co-researchers : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: IRSC/Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada
Grant programs:
2017 - 2019

The interactions of sensory, cognitive, and social factors and their influence on the health and quality of life of older Canadians

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: IRSC/Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Subvention catalyseur
2017 - 2019

ArtonTheBrain: A cognitive health app for older adults to promote aging at home

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Co-researchers : KELLY MURPHY , Lynn HASHER
Funding sources: Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care
Grant programs:
2017 - 2019

The Effect of Rehabilitation on Assistive Device Use Continuity : The Case of the eSight Device.

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: Ministère Économie et Innovation , MITACS Inc.
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Prog. soutien rech (PSR v1B): Soutien à des projets rech. (Mitacs) , PVXXXXXX-Stage Accélération Québec - MITACS
2017 - 2018

Development of a Clinically Effective Sensory Screening Tool for Résidents with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in Long Term Care (LTC)

Lead researcher : Katherine McGilton
Co-researchers : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: Société Alzheimer du Canada
Grant programs: PVXX2123-Subvention de recherche
2017 - 2018

RQRV - Réseau québécois de recherche sur le vieillissement - The interactions of sensory, cognitive, and social factors and their influence on the health and quality of life of older Canadians

Co-researchers : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Réseaux thématiques de recherche
2016 - 2018

Paradoxical effects of mobility aids on postural stability in dementia

Lead researcher : Susan Hunter
Co-researchers : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: The Alzheimer's Association
Grant programs:
2015 - 2018

POUR UNE INTÉGRATION RÉUSSIE DES AIDES TECHNIQUES DANS LA VIE DES PERSONNES ÂGÉES ATTEINTES DE DÉFICIENCE VISUELLE ET AUDITIVE

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Bourse de chercheur-boursier : Junior 1
2016 - 2017

Early detection of sensory impairment (vision and audition) at front-line health services : A study to examine standardized assessments in older adults / réseau-RQRV-Le Réseau québécois de recherche sur le vieillissement

Lead researcher : Natalie Phillips
Co-researchers : Pierrette Gaudreau , Walter Wittich
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Réseaux thématiques de recherche
2016 - 2017

Une approche de méthodes mixtes pour identifier les stéréotypes associés aux aides techniques utilisées en réadaptation de la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge.

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Recherches sur la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge (DMLA)
2015 - 2017

Development of a clinically effective sensory screening tool for résidents with Alzheimer's disease

Lead researcher : Katherine McGilton
Co-researchers : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: Société Alzheimer du Canada
Grant programs: PVXX2123-Subvention de recherche
2015 - 2017

Évaluation de l'IPad d'Apple comme une aide à la lecture en basse vision - phase 1 & 2

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Recherches sur la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l'âge (DMLA)
2016

eQUEST, eSight Quality of Life and Efficacy Study

Lead researcher : Walter Wittich
2014 - 2015

Réseau provincial de recherche en adaptation-réadaptation (REPAR) - CP2: Engaging community partners for children's participation

Co-researchers : Walter Wittich
Funding sources: FRQS/Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRSQ)
Grant programs: PVXXXXXX-Réseaux thématiques de recherche

Outreach

Organisation d’événements

2023     18th International World Conference 2023 of Deafblind International, Ottawa, ON Session Moderator: Vison and Hearing Loss in Long-Term Care: Interprofessional Contributions to Integrated Care to Address Sensory-based Communication Barriers Session Moderator: The Virtual World: An Opportunity or Threat for Persons with Disabilities; Keynote given by Tom Shakespeare

2023     ARVO Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA Session Moderator: Low vision and comorbidity

2022     10th Canadian Optometry School Research Conference (COSRC), Montreal, QCSession Moderator: Low Vision and Rehabilitation; Optics and Contact Lenses

2022     CCNA Partners Forum and Science Days 2022 (virtual) Keynote Moderator for “Exploring the structural determinants of health in Canada: Considerations for research on dementia in racialized communities” by Ingrid Waldran, PhD.

2022     Vision 2020+2 - 13th International Conference by the International Society for Low Vision; Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR), Dublin, Ireland Symposium Moderator: Combined vision and hearing impairment – Exploring topics on aging and acquired sensory losses Symposium Moderator: Challenges and Successes in the Rehabilitation of Early-onset combined vision and hearing loss

2022     MC and Host: 2022 June 14, Rehabilitation Scientific Day of the Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay Rehabilitation Center CIUSSS West Central - Create a scientific culture of empowerment in rehabilitation

2021  International Federation on Ageing – 15th Global Conference on Ageing “Rights Matter”; Niagara Falls, Ontario Symposium Moderator - Sensory health in long-term care homes: Improving communication and social interaction with residents to facilitate care quality

2021     2021 Partners Forum and Science Days, Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging Panel moderator – Equity, diversity and inclusion of lived experiences in dementia research: The path behind and the road ahead

2021     Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology (ARVO), San Francisco, CA; virtual Networking Session Moderator of the Low Vision Cross-sectional Group:

Title: Networking around the effects of COVID-19: How have you been affected, how have you adjusted, how can we help each other?

Title: The future of assistive technology and where do we go from where we are now?

Title: Networking around upcoming and emerging themes: training the next generation, changes in needs and profiles, and other undiscovered topics…

Session Moderator of the Low Vision Cross-sectional Group Session Title: Technologies for visual enhancement in 2020 and beyond

2021     Les réunions virtuelles 2021 du Réseau de recherche en santé de la vision; La 25e Réunion annuelle du Reseau Vision (Jan. 29 2021) Moderator for Plenary Speaker session - Aurélie Calabrèse, Keynote

2020     Think Tank on Hearing in Later Life – International Federation on Ageing Session Moderator: Hearing Loss – The Lived Experience

2020     Deafblind International Webinar: “Living with Deafblindness in a New Reality” https://www.deafblindinternational.org/conferences/dbi-webinars/ Online MC and Host, 26 hours of content, June 22-26 2020 during Deafblind Awareness Week

2020     Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology (ARVO), Baltimore, MD Session Moderator of the Low Vision Cross-sectional Group Session Title: Technologies for visual enhancement in 2020 and beyond

2020     20e Symposium sur la déficience visuelle et la réadaptation MC and Host, Montreal, QC

2019     17th Deafblind International World Conference, August 2019, Gold Coast, Australia Session Moderator: Research ForumSession Moderator: Family Forum Pre-conference Workshop Moderator

2019     Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology (ARVO), Vancouver, BCSession Moderator: Cross-sectional session: “The effects of mesopic light levels on vision and functional activities”

Participation à des jurys (hors de l’institution)

Committee Member: ongoing – Candidate: Elena Guseva; Department of Family Medicine and Division of Geriatric Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Title: Art therapy interventions to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia: Towards establishing evidence-based knowledge using objective and feasible outcome measures; Supervisor: Machelle Wilchesky

Committee Member: ongoing – Candidate: Astrid Minier; Department of Neurosciences, Lemanic Neuroscience Doctoral School (University of Geneva, Switzerland); Title “Low vision assessment: From the outer retina to the innter retina”. Supervisors: Pr. Micah M. Murray (Unil) and Pr. Dimitri Van De Ville (Unige).

Committee member: ongoing – Candidate: Juan Ricardo Nino Falcon, Faculté de musique, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada; Title: Building an Assistive Communication and Co-creation Device for the Visually Impaired and Sighted: Towards an Inclusive Online Community; Supervisor: Jocelyne Kiss

External Examiner: June 2022 – Candidate: Moira Dunsmore; The University of Sydney; Menzies Centre for Health Policy and Economics, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney Faculty of Medicine and Health Sydney, Australia; Title: An invisible disability: navigating the enduring state of Dual Sensory Impairment (DSI) in older age. Supervisor: James Gillespie

Committee Member: 2021 – Candidate: Elliott Morrice, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, PhD in Psychology, Title: Impact of Visual Impairments on Cognitive Assessment: Disentangling the variability attributable to visual impairments and cognitive impairment when assessing cognitive functioning; Supervisor: Aaron Johnson

External Examiner: 2021 – Candidate: Annmaree Watharow; Department of Journalism & Creative Writing, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,University of Technology, Sydney, Australia;  Title: ‘Not knowing what is going on’: the experiences of people with deafblindness and dual sensory impairment in Australian hospitals – a mixed methods study. Supervisor: Sue Joseph

External Examiner: 2019 – Candidate: Alana Roy; School of Social and Political Science (The University of Melbourne, Australia); Title “Consultation, research and policy development; Lessons from the Deafblind community about creating a more inclusive world”. Supervisor: Professor Keith McVilly and Professor Beth Crisp

Committee Member: March 2019 - Candidate: Atul Jaiswal, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, PhD in Rehabilitation Science, Working Title: Participation of people with deafblindness in India; Supervisor: Marcia Finlayson

External Examiner: 2019 – Candidate: Wagner Henrique de Souza Silva, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Title: Perceptuo-motor strategies in response to moving obstacles  while walking: impact of obstacle characteristics and mobile  communication in healthy young and older adults immersed in a virtual environment, Supervisor: Anouk Lamontagne

External Examiner: 2016 March – Candidate: Flemming Ask Larsen, Institute for Psychology, University of Copenhagen, PhD in Psychology, Title: Congenital deafblindness and bodily-tactile language acquisition; Supervisor: Jesper Herup Dammeyer

Transfert technologique et de connaissances

Overbury, O., Wittich, W., Stuen, C., Granberg, S & Pichora-Fuller, M.K. (January 25th 2024). The hearing-vision-aging webinar, “Hearing in Later Life”, a working group of the International Society of Audiology. International Society of Audiology, UK; https://isa-audiology.org/events/events with 100 registered participants

Wittich, W. (April 14th 2023). Communicating with clients who present with dual impairment, CRIR KT presentation series, Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC

Phillips, N., & Wittich W. (Nov. 23 3022). Sensory health in older adults with cognitive impairment: Implications for rural health care, Rural Dementia Action Research Summit 2022 Online (https://cchsa-ccssma.usask.ca/ruraldementiacare/summit/previous-summits.php#top) , University of Saskatchewan, SK

Wittich, W. (Oct 13 2022). Projet « Élaboration d'un ensemble de base de la CIF de l'OMS pour la terminologie en surdicécité », Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille (CRIR-INLB) Centre intégré de santé et de services sociaux de la Montérégie-Centre, Infolettre Nouvelles-Vision, vol. 5, no 8, https://mailchi.mp/ssss.gouv.qc.ca/infolettre_nouvelles_vision_vol5_no8_octobre_2022?e=de7846ce02#mctoc2

Wittich, W. & Martiniello, N. (Oct. 17 2022). Aging, Braille and Rehabilitation and Beyond. Plein Feu: The Faces of CRIR Research, White Cane Awareness and Safety Day & World Sight Day, Montréal, QC, (Webinar) attendance n = 54 https://crir.ca/en/sharing-our-knowledge/events/activite-plein-feu-vieillissement-braille-et-readaptation-17-octobre-2022/

Wittich W. (2022, March 2nd). L'importance de la santé visuelle pour le vieillissement cognitive, Les Conférences Mémorables 2021/2022, Fédération québécoise des Sociétés Alzheimer. Montreal, QC, (Webinar)

Wittich, W. (2021, October 18). Interventions at the Sensory and Cognitive Interface – Team 17 of the CCNA, Committee of Engagement of People with Lived Experience of Dementia, Canadian Consortium on Neurdegeneration in Aging, virtual event

Overbury, O., Martiniello, N., Nemargut, J, & Wittich, W. (2021). Master's Program in Visual Impairment & Rehabilitation, Connecting the Dots 2021, CNIB Foundation (virtual event) https://cnib.ca/en/connecting-dots-2021-program-english-event?region=qc

Grant, N., Pichora-Fuller, M.K., Wittich, W. & Phillips, N.A. (March 2021). Hearing is important for biopsychosocial models of dementia: Here are some facts researchers in each CCNA team should know [Fact Sheet] https://www.concordia.ca/content/dam/artsci/research/caplab/docs/WHD_CCNA.pdf

Swenor, B., Martiniello, N., Legge, G., Sukhai, M., Wu, Y.-H., & Wittich., W. (May 2021). How Inclusion Elevates the Impact of Science: Impact and approaches to including people with vision loss in basic and clinical research, Special Interests Group at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, San Francisco, CA (virtual conference).

Wittich, W., Granberg, S., Wahlqvist, M., Pichora-Fuller, M.K, & Maki-Torrko, E. (Invited speaker, March 30th 2021). What do we know about assistive device abandonment by individuals living with combined vision and hearing impairment? Spring 2021 Research Lecture Series, New England College of Optometry, Boston, MA (virtual event)

Wittich, W. (host), Pichora-Fuller, M.K., Phillips, N., Mick, P., Guthrie, D., Savundranayagam, M., Orange, J.B., Chasteen, A. (2021). Communication with visually impaired older adults living with comorbidities, Envision Spring Conference March 26 & 26 2021 https://www.envisionuniversityevents.com/springconference2021.

Wittich, W. (host), Jaiswal, A., Martiniello, N., & Bleau, M. (2021). Neglected topics in vision impairment research: Implications for Low vision practice; Envision Spring Conference March 26 & 26 2021 https://www.envisionuniversityevents.com/springconference2021.

Publications and presentations

Publications

Wittich, W., *Dumassais, S., *Jaiswal, A., *Paramasivam, A., Budhiraja, S., Lopez, R. & Granberg, S. (accepted February 26th 2024). Development of Core Sets for deafblindness: An international expert survey on functioning and disability of individuals living with deafblindness using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine

Prats, F., Choukou, M.-A., Wittich, W., Beaulieu-Bonneau, S., Piquer, O., Cherrier, S., & Poncet, F. (accepted February 16th 2024). Digital tools to support technology-enabled budget management in people with acquired brain injury: A rapid review, Disability & Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, https://doi.org/10.1080/17483107.2024.2323146

Mick, P., Kabir, R. Isler, L., Pichora-Fuller, M.K., Young, T.-L., Sosero, Y, Gan-or, Z., & Wittich, W., & Phillips, N., (in press January 27th 2024). ApoE4 is not associated with pure tone hearing thresholds, visual acuity or cognition, cross-sectionally or over 3 years of follow up in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, Neurobiology of Aging https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2024.01.006

*Dumassais, S., Pichora-Fuller., M. K., Guthrie, D., Phillips, N., Savundranayagam, M. Y., & Wittich, W. (accepted Jan 12th 2024). Strategies Used during the Cognitive Evaluation of Older Adults with Dual Sensory Impairment: A Scoping Review. Age and Ageing.

*Ogedengbe, T.O., Sukhai, M., & Wittich, W. (in press December 22nd 2023, scheduled for June 2024 issue). Towards Identifying Gaps in Employment Integration for People Living with Vision Impairment: A Scoping Review, WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 78(2) DOI: 10.3233/WOR-230018

Bethell, J., Andrew, M.K., Mick, P., Morgan, D.G., O’Connell, M.E., Phillips, N., Steward, S. Walker, J.D., Wittich, W., & McGilton, K.S. (2024). Does social connection mediate the association between neuroticism and cognition? Cross-sectional analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, Aging & Mental Health, 28(3), 482-490 https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2023.2252369

Bitton, E., & Wittich, W. (2024). Double-blind comparison of eyelash epilation techniques for the purpose of Demodex Folliculorum mite retrieval, Eye & Contact Lens, 50(3), 152-157, DOI: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000001070

Bitton, E., Jones, G. & Wittich, W. (2023). Financial inequities in Optometric Education in Canada: A comparison of two optometry programs, Optometry & Vision Science, 100(11), 785–793 DOI: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000002072

Ahmed S, Ataman R, McKerral M, Roberge-Dao J, Auger C, Wittich W, Talla PK, Boychuck Z, Thomas A. (2023). Response to Letter to the Editor on: "Measurement Properties of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory (MPAI-4) and related measures: A Systematic Review", Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 104(12), 2170-2171, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2023.08.015

*Paramasivam, A., *Jaiswal, A., Budhiraja, S., Holzhey, P., *Santhakumaran, P., *Ogedengbe, O.T., *Martin, J., *Das, S., *Côté, S., Hassid, R., James, T.G Kennedy, B., Tang, D., Tran, Y, Colson-Osbourne, H., Che, M.L.C., Minhas, R., Granberg, S., & Wittich., W. (2023). The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for deafblindness Part I: A systematic review of outcome measures identified in deafblindness research, European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, 59(5), 615-627 https://doi.org/10.23736/S1973-9087.23.07890-5

Downey, R., Gagné, N., Mohanathas, N., Campos, J.L., Pichora-Fuller, K.M., Bherer, L., Lussier, M., Phillips, N., Wittich, W., St-Onge, N., Gagné, J.-P., Karen Li. K. (2023). At-home computerized executive-function training to improve cognition and mobility in normal-hearing adults and older hearing aid users: A multi-centre, single-blinded randomized controlled trial, BMC Neurology, 23, 378 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-023-03405-1

Mick, P.T. Kabir, R., Pichora-Fuller, M. K., Jones, C., Moxham, L., Phillips, N., Urry, E., & Wittich, W. (2023) Associations between cardiovascular risk factors and audiometric hearing: Findings from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, Ear & Hearing, 44(6), 1332-1343, November/December. DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001370

Wittich, W., Boie, N.R, & Jaiswal, A. (2023). Methodological approaches to obtaining informed consent when conducting research with individuals living with deafblindness, SPECIAL ISSUE “Accessibility and Inclusion: Advancing the Use of Qualitative Research Methods for All” in the International Journal of Qualitative Methods,22, 1-11 https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205176

Wittich, W., Kröger, E., *Aubin, G., Fadhlaoui, A., Anderson, N., Bengaied, N., Itzhak, I., & Belleville, S. for the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) CAN-THUMBS UP Study Group. (2023). Using co-creation focus groups to customise a remote multidomain programme designed to increase dementia literacy, BMJ Open, 13(9), e074555, https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/9/e074555

Ataman, R., Thomas, A., Roberge-Dao, J., McKerral, M., Auger, C., Wittich, W., Kengne Talla, P., Boychuck, Z., & Ahmed, S. (2023). Measurement Properties of the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory (MPAI-4) and related measures: A Systematic Review, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 104(8), 1300-1313 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2022.12.196

Al-Yawer, F., Pichora-Fuller, M.K., Wittich, W., Mick, P., Giroud, N., Rehan, S., & Phillips, N. (2023). Sex-specific Interactions Between Hearing and Memory in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Findings from the COMPASS-ND Study, Ear & Hearing, 44(4), 751-767 DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000001322

Howard H. Feldman, S. Belleville, H. B. Nygaard, M. Montero-Odasso, J. Durant, J.-L. Lupo, C. Revta, S. Chan, M. Cuesta, P. J. Slack, S. Winer, P. W. H. Brewster, S. M. Hofer, A. Lim, A. Centen, D. M. Jacobs, N. D. Anderson, J. D. Walker, M. R. Speechley, G. Y. Zou, H. Chertkow & Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA), CAN-THUMBS UP Study Group ¥ (2023). Protocol for the Brain Health Support Program Study of the Canadian Therapeutic Platform Trial for Multidomain Interventions to Prevent Dementia (CAN-THUMBS UP): A prospective 12-month intervention study, Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, https://doi.org/10.14283/jpad.2023.65

¥ CCNA CAN-THUMBS UP Study Group - Block Authorship: Co-Principal Investigators: Howard Chertkow, Sylvie Belleville, Howard Feldman, Manuel Montero-Odasso, Haakon Nygaard; Steering Committee members: Nicole Anderson, Sarah Banks, Samir Das, Carol Evans, Guylaine Ferland, Joyla Furlano, Scott Hofer, Inbal Itzhak, Diane Jacobs, Pamela Jarrett, Andrew Lim, Chris McGibbon, Karen Messer, Carolyn Revta, Julie Robillard, Eric Smith, Mark Speechley, Jennifer Walker; Other Site Principal Investigators: Michael Borrie, Kenneth Rockwood; CTU Study Operations Team: Paul Brewster, Andrew Centen, Marc Cuesta, Senny Chan, January Durant, Tatiana Herold, Nellie Kamkar, Jody-Lynn Lupo, Yanina Sarquis-Adamson, Penelope Slack, Amal Trigui, Shahnaz Winer; BHPro Content Contributors: Fatim Ajwani, Anas Alrohimi, Nicole Anderson, Geneviève Arsenault-Lapierre, *Gabrielle Aubin, Sylvie Belleville, Jennifer Bethell, Louis Bherer, Maude Bouchard, Mark Boulos, Jacqueline Burt, Asif Javed Butt, Richard Camicioli, Jennifer Campos, Julie Carrier, Alison Chasteen, Howard Chertkow, Rachel A. Crockett, Marc Cuesta, Danielle D’Amico, Véronique Daneault, Thanh Dang-Vu, Alex Desautels, Caroline Desrosiers, *Shirley Dumassais, Emily Dwosh, Gillian Einstein, Margaret Fahnestok, Ryan Stanley Falck, Howard Feldman, Guylaine Ferland, Alexandra Fiocco, Christine Gagnon, Jean-François Gagnon, Liisa Galea, Aravind Ganesh, Nicole Gervais, Brigitte Gilbert, Nadia Gosselin, Catherine-Alexandra Grégoire, Tatiana Herold, Stephanie Huang, Catherine Hughes, Inbal Itzak, Raed Joundi, Heather Keller, Elizaveta Klekovkina, Kim Lasnier-Le Quang, Danielle Laurin, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, *Marie-Céline Lorenzini, Dominique Lorrain, Kaljani Mahalingam, Sarantia Samantha Maltezos, Brooklyn Mankasingh, Roger Marple, Susan Marzolini, Samira Mehrabi, Paul Mick, Laura Middleton, Tatiyana Mollayeva, Manuel Montero-Odasso, Annabelle Moore, Aline Moussard, Reanne Mundadan, Kelly Murphy, Leigh-Anne M. Noltie, Haakon Nygaard, JB Orange, *Emilie Parolin, Natalie Phillips, Kathy Pichora-Fuller, Lori Piquette, Jason Plaks, Ron Postuma, Avery Pratt, Maria Natasha Rajah, Helli Raptis, Kayla Regan, Anne Julien-Rocheleau,  Marie Y. Savundranayagam, Penny Slack, Eric Smith, Mark Speechley, Kylie Sullivan, Munira Sultana, *Fatima Tangkhpanya, *Talar Tcherkezian, Anne-Julie Tessier, Lynn Valeyry Verty, Amanda Wagner, Walter Wittich, Stephanie Yamin, Anthonio Zadra;

Kengne Talla, P., Thomas, A., Ataman, R., Auger. C., McKerral, M., Wittich, W., Poncet, F., & Ahmed, S. (2023). Evaluating the implementation of the Mayo-Portland adaptability inventory -4 (MPAI-4) in three rehabilitation settings in Quebec: A mixed-methods study protocol, BMJ Open, 13:e068866 http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068866

*Gupta, S., *Jaiswal, A., Sukhai, M., & Wittich, W. (2023). Hearing disability and employment: A population-based analysis using the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, Disability & Rehabilitation, 45(11), 1836-1846https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2022.2076938

Abraham, A., Hong, C., Deal, J., Bettcher, B., Pelak, V., Gross, A., Jiang, K., Swenor, B. & Wittich, W. (2023). Are cognitive researchers ignoring their senses? The problem of sensory deficit in cognitive aging research, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 71(5), 1369-1377 http://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18229

Stark, Z., Morrice, E., Murphy, C., Wittich, W. & Johnson, A. (2023). The effects of simulated and actual visual impairment on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition, 30(4), 523-535 https://doi.org/10.1080/13825585.2022.2055739

*Aubin, G., Phillips, N., *Jaiswal, A., Johnson, A., Joubert, S., Bachir, V., Kehayia, E. & Wittich, W. (2023). Visual and cognitive functioning among older adults with low vision before vision rehabilitation, Frontiers in Psychology – Cognition, 14, 1058951 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1058951

*Jaiswal, A., *Gupta, S., *Paramasivam, A., *Santhakumaran, S., Holzhey, P., Dupont, P. & Wittich, W. (2023). Continuum of Care for Older Adults with Concurrent Hearing and Vision Impairment: A Systematic Review, Innovations in Aging, 7(1), igac076 https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igac076

Guthrie, D.M, Williams, N., *Jaiswal, A., Mick, P., O’Rourke, H.M., Pichora-Fuller, M.K., Wittich, W., & Sutradhar, R. (2022). Prevalence of sensory impairments in home care and long-term care using interRAI data from across Canada, BMC Geriatrics, 22, 944 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03671-7

Phillips, N., Isler, L., Kabir, R., *Hämäläinen, A., Wittich, W., Pichora-Fuller, M.K., & Mick, P. (2022). Hearing and visual acuity predict cognitive function in adults aged 45-85 years Findings from the baseline wave of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), Psychology & Aging, 37(8), 891-912 https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000716

Communications

A. Deschenes, J. Darveau, L. Cloutier, T. Gallant, A. Lamontagne, W. Wittich, F. Poncet (2024) Formation pour l’Intervention interdisciplinaire en Orientation et mobilité et Optométrie (IO2M). ​Un projet novateur. 22e Symposium scientifique sur l’incapacité visuelle et la réadaptation. Événement organisé par l’Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, le Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal et l’École d’optométrie de l’Université de Montréal. 6 février, Longueuil, QC

Dumassais, s. & Wittich, W. (2024). Renforcer les tests cognitifs pour les personnes atteintes d'une double déficience sensorielle: Approches pratiques et fondées sur des données probantes, 22e Symposium scientifique sur l’incapacité visuelle et la réadaptation. Événement organisé par l’Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, le Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal et l’École d’optométrie de l’Université de Montréal. 6 février, Longueuil, QC

Ogedengbe, T.O., Sukhai, M., & Wittich, W. (2024, Feb 6th). Sustainable Inclusion of People with Vision Loss in the Workforce: What Next? 22e Symposium scientifique sur l’incapacité visuelle et la réadaptation. Événement organisé par l’Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, le Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal et l’École d’optométrie de l’Université de Montréal. 6 février, Longueuil, QC

Vincent, C., Wittich, W., Boucher, N., Hotton, M., Bergeron, F., Achou, B., Fex, J., Belec, C., Schmouth, M.E., Dumont, F. (2024, 6 février). Adoption et utilisation d’une aide technique à la communication en braille pour la communication face à face et à distance pour deux utilisateurs atteints de surdicécité. 22e Symposium scientifique sur l’incapacité visuelle et la réadaptation. Événement organisé par l’Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, le Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal et l’École d’optométrie de l’Université de Montréal. 6 février, Longueuil, QC

Auger, C., Itani, R., Nehmani, L., Renaud, J., Vincent, C., Wittich, W. (2024, 6 février,). Suivi post-intervention en réadaptation pour la basse vision : quels outils sont prometteurs? 22e Symposium scientifique sur l’incapacité visuelle et la réadaptation, 22e Symposium scientifique sur l’incapacité visuelle et la réadaptation. Événement organisé par l’Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, le Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal et l’École d’optométrie de l’Université de Montréal. 6 février, Longueuil, QC

Wittich, W., Jaiswal, A., López, R., van de Molengraft, S., Minhas, R., Dumassais, S., Baur, M., Sukhai, M., Anze, D., Wareham, A., Prain, M., McVilly, K.R., & Granberg, S. (February 6th 2024) Developing an ICF Core Sets for Deafblindness: An international collaboration, 22e Symposium scientifique sur l’incapacité visuelle et la réadaptation. Événement organisé par l’Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille du CISSS de la Montérégie-Centre, le Centre de réadaptation Lethbridge-Layton-Mackay du CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal et l’École d’optométrie de l’Université de Montréal. 6 février, Longueuil, QC

Wittich, W., Jaiswal, A., Lopez, R., van de Monelngraft, S., Minhas, R., Dumassiais, S., Budhiraja, S., Paramasivam, A., Kat, F., Sukhai, M., Anze, D., Wareham, A. Prain, M., McVilly, K.R. & Granberg, S. (Nov. 1 2023). Developing the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for Deafblindness, 26th Annual meeting of the FRQS Quebec Vision Health Research

*Ogedengbe, T.O., Sukhai, M., Wittich, W. (2023, Nov 29-30). Assessment of employment environment preparedness to hire people with vision disability: A strategy for job retention. Disability and Work Conference Canada, Ottawa, CA

Belleville, S., Chertkow, H., Feldman, H., Mondero-Odesso, M., Nyyguard, H., Anderson, N., Bherer, L., Camicioli, R., Chan, S., Cuesta, M., Dwosh, E., Ferland, G., Fiocco, A., Gilbert, B., Itzhak, I., Jarrett, P., Laurin, D., Liu-Ambrose, T., Lupo, J.-L., McGibbon, C., Middleton, L., Murphy, K., Phillips, N., Pichora-Fuller, M.K., Revta, C., Savundranayagam, M., Sexton, A., Smith, E., Speechley, M., Trigui, A., Wittich, W., for the CCNA CAN-THUMBS UP Study Group (2023). The online educational Brain Health PRO program to preserve cognition in older adults:  An intervention mapping protocol to develop features, usability, and acceptability, 52nd Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting of the Canadian Association for Gerontology, Toronto, ON

Wittich, W., Kröger, E., *Aubin, G., Fadhlaoui, A., Anderson, N., Bengaied, N., Itzhak, I., & Belleville, S. for the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) CAN-THUMBS UP Study Group. (2023). Focus groups to customize a remote multidomain program designed to increased dementia literacy: A co-creation approach, Session S77, 52nd Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting of the Canadian Association for Gerontology, Toronto, ON

Belleville, S., Chertkow, H., Feldman, H.H., Nygaard, H.B., Montero-Odasso, M., Anderson, N.D., Bherer, L., Ferland, G., Camicioli, R., Chan, S., Cuesta, M., Dwosh, E., Fiocco, A.J., Gilbert, B., Itzhak, I., Jarrett, P., Laurin, D., Liu-Ambrose, T., Lupo, J.-L., McGibbon, C.A., Middleton, L.E., Murphy, K.J., Phillips, N., Pichora-Fuller, M.K., Reyta, C., Savundranayagam, M.Y., Sexton, A., Smith, E.E., Speechley, M.R., Trigul, A, & Wittich, W. (2023). Brain Health PRO: An Interactive, Online, Educational Program for Dementia, Alzheimer's Association International Conference, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Alzheimer's & Dementia 19, e075156 https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.075156

Bleau, M., Jaiswal, A., Wittich, W., Nemargut, J.P., & Ptito, M. (May 26th 2023). Improving cognitive mapping skills and environment accessibility with 3D printing technology, 18th International Mobility Conference (IMC18), Warsaw, Poland

Bethell J, Andrew MK, Hothi S, Mick P, Morgan D, O'Connell ME, Phillips NA, Stewart S, Walker JD, Wittich W, McGilton K. (June 2023). The relationships between neuroticism, social connection and cognition. International Psychogeriatric Association International Congress, 29 June -2 July 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. International Psychogeriatrics 35(S1):92-94 doi:10.1017/S104161022300128X

Jaiswal, A., Budhiraja, S., Paramasivam, A., Santhakumaran, S., Coté, S., Boie, N.R., Savundranayagam, M., Vincent, C., Kröger, E. & Wittich, W. (July 26th 2023). Continuum of Care for Older Canadians with Dual Sensory Loss During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Existing Scenario and Lessons to be Learned, Deafblind International 18th World Conference, Global Connections: The Future in our Hands, Ottawa, ON

Martiniello, N. & Wittich, W. (July 25th 2023). Elevating Conference Accessibility and Inclusion for Individuals with Deafblindness: Merging Best Practices from Vision, Hearing and Dual Sensory Impairment, Deafblind International 18th World Conference, Global Connections: The Future in our Hands, Ottawa, ON

Martin, J., Wanka, A. & Wittich, W. (July 25th 2023). An Environmental Scan of Rehabilitation Services for Adults with Deafblindness, Deafblind International 18th World Conference, Global Connections: The Future in our Hands, Ottawa, ON

Dumassais, S., & Wittich, W. (July 26th 2023). Addressing Evidence-based and Practical Strategies During the Administration of Cognitive Tests to Individuals Living with Dual Sensory Impairment, Deafblind International 18th World Conference, Global Connections: The Future in our Hands, Ottawa, ON

Wittich, W., Jaiswal, A., López, R., van de Molengraft, S., Minhas, R., *Dumassais, S., Budhiraja, S., Paramasivam, A., Kat, F., Sukhai, M., Picasso, J., Anze, D. & Granberg, S. (2023 April 24). Expert Survey for the Development of a Core Set for Deafblindness using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health, Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology, New Orleans, LA, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science 64 (8), 1906 https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2786769

Ogedengbe, T., Sukhai, M., & Wittich, W. (Dec 3rd 2022). A Wholistic Approach to Employment Success among People with Vision loss: A Scoping Review, 10th Canadian Optometry School Research Conference, Montreal, QC

Ogedengbe, T., Sukhai, M., & Wittich, W. (Nov 9th 2022). Sustainable Employment Success for People with Vision Impairment: A Scoping Review, 25th Annual Meeting of the Vision Health Research Network, Montreal, QC

*Lorenzini, M.-C. & Wittich, W. (July 8th 2022). Effects of telerehabilitation on functional vision in individuals using a head-mounted display, Vision 2020+1 – the 13th International Low Vision Conference, Dublin, Ireland.

*Lorenzini, M.-C. & Wittich, W. (July 8th 2022). Understanding the use of head-mounted displays and benefits of telerehabilitation in a visually impaired population, Vision 2020+1 – the 13th International Low Vision Conference, Dublin, Ireland.

Pichora-Fuller, M.K., Wittich, W., Phillips, N., Reed, M., & Orange, JB (2022 April 28). Interdisciplinary, integrated, person-centred assessment of persons living with dementia, 2022 SAC Speech-Language Pathology Virtual Conference, Vancouver, BC (remote event)

Jenna Littlejohn, J., Bowen, M., Piers Dawes, P., Dickinson, C., Constantinidou, F., Heyn, P., Hooper, E., Hopper, T., Hubbard, I., Langenbahn, D., Nieman, C.L., Rajagopal, M., Thodi, C.., Weinstein, B., Wittich, W., & Leroi, I. (2022). International practice recommendations for the identification and management of hearing, vision and cognitive impairment, Hearing Across the Lifespan (HEAL) 2022 Conference, Cernobbio, Italy

Aubin, G., Al-Yawer, F., Pichora-Fuller, M.K., Phillips, N., & Wittich, W. (2022). Faible concordance entre les mesures auto-rapportées et comportementales de déficience visuelle et/ou auditive chez les personnes âgées avec ou à risque de démence, 21st Scientific Symposium on Visual Disability and Rehabilitation, Montréal, Qc, Canada (Prize for best oral presentation by a student)

Vincent, C., Wittich, W., Bergeron, F., Hotton, M., & Achou, B. (2022). Magasiner quand on est sourd-aveugle : Un test pré-technologique de nouvelles méthodes de communication face à face, 21st Scientific Symposium on Visual Disability and Rehabilitation, Montréal, Qc, Canada.

Dumassais, S & Wittich, W. (2022). Adaptations During Cognitive Evaluation of Older Adults with Dual Sensory Impairment: A Scoping Review, 21st Scientific Symposium on Visual Disability and Rehabilitation, Montréal, Qc, Canada (Prize for best oral presentation by a student), Canadian Geriatrics Journal (01 Mar 2023), 26(1): 211-212

Wittich, W., Kreidy, C., Rodrigue, C., Perreault, A., Roy, I, Nemargut, J & Martiniello, N. (2022). Étude de l'effet des masques sur l'orientation et la mobilité : Un exemple de recherche-action participative et de partenariat institutionnel réussi, 21st Scientific Symposium on Visual Disability and Rehabilitation, Montréal, Qc, Canada.

Hammouni, Z., Martiniello, N., Poldma, T., Kehayia, E., Verduyckt, I., & Wittich W. (2022). Partenariat et interdisciplinarité pour la co-création d'une représentation théâtrale décontractée, 21st Scientific Symposium on Visual Disability and Rehabilitation, Montréal, Qc, Canada.

Pietrangelo, S., Souaid, O., Mailhot, A.-A., Wittich, W. & Nemargut, J. (2022). Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Tele-rehabilitation in Orientation & Mobility, 21st Scientific Symposium on Visual Disability and Rehabilitation, Montréal, Qc, Canada.

Auger, C., Mannoubi*, C., Renaud, J., Vincent, C., Wittich, W. & Guay, M. (2022, 8 février). Construire ensemble les bases d’une intervention numérique dédiée aux aînés et à leurs proches aidants après l’attribution d’une aide visuelle (MOvIT-VISION). 21st Scientific Symposium on Visual Disability and Rehabilitation, Montréal, Qc, Canada.

Jaiswal, A., Holzhey, P., Budhiraja, S., Paramasivam, A., Santhakumaran, S., Cöte, S., Boie, N.R., Savundranayagam, M., Vincent, C., Kröger, E., & Wittich., W. (2022). Continuum of care for older adults with dual sensory loss during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. 21st Scientific Symposium on Visual Disability and Rehabilitation, Montréal, Qc, Canada

*Jaiswal, A., Budhiraja, S., Cöte, S., Santhakumaran, S., Paramasivam, A., Holzhey, P., Boie, N.R., Savundranayagam, M., Vincent, C., Kröger, E., & Wittich., W. (2021). Healthcare inequities for older Canadians with vision and hearing loss during COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study. International Federation on Ageing (IFA) 15th Global Conference on Ageing "Rights Matter", Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. (2021, November 10-12)

Disciplines

  • Optometry
  • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation