Rachael Sessler Trinkowsky
Biography
Rachael Sessler Trinkowsky, Ph.D., CRC, CATIS, CPACC, is the Assistive Technology Visual Impairment Program Coordinator in the Vision Studies department at UMass Boston. She holds a Ph.D. in Computing Technology in Education from Nova Southeastern University and has been a certified rehabilitation counselor since 1999. Among her many roles with AER, ACVREP, and other organizations, she chairs the AER Accessibility Committee, is on the ACVREP CATIS SME Committee, and is an ATIA Strand Advisor.
Area of Expertise
Access to technology for people with vision loss, digital accessibility, accessibility within online learning environments and higher education, developing graduate-level programming and curricula to train assistive technology (AT) professionals, teaching AT software to people who are blind, deafblind, or who have low vision, providing assessments, case management, and recommendations for AT and accommodations.
Degrees
PhD, Computing Technology in Education, Nova Southeastern University
Master of Health Science, Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Florida
BA, Special Education, University of Florida
Professional Publications & Contributions
Publications
Kelly, S., Sessler Trinkowsky, R., Baguhn, S., & Tikkun, S. (February/March, 2026). Practitioner’s handbook: Assistive technology for people who are blind or have low vision, ninth edition seminar. Closing the Gap Magazine.
McDonnall, M. & Sessler Trinkowsky, R. (2025). Assistive technology innovations: Perceptions, adoption, and desires. Assistive Technology Benefits and Outcomes (ATOB) Journal, 19, 47-66.
Sessler Trinkowsky, R., Brusegaard, C., Bozeman, L, & Futty, A.G. (2024) Assistive technology for individuals who have visual impairments (ATVI): Paths and funding at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Visual Impairment and Deafblind Education Quarterly (VIDBE-Q) Fall 2024 Assistive Technology Issue, 69(4), 107-114.
McDonnall, M., Sessler Trinkowsky, R., & Steverson, A. (March, 2024). Use of braille in the workplace by people who are blind. Journal on Technology & Persons with Disabilities, 12, 58-75.
Evmenova, A., Banes, D., Cross, R.T., Ding, D., Geist, L., Helland, K., James, W.E., Schoonover, J., & Sessler Trinkowsky, R. (2024). Introduction to Volume 18. Assistive Technology Benefits and Outcomes (ATOB) Journal, 18, viii-xi.
McDonnall, M.C., Steverson, A., Sessler Trinkowsky, R. & Sergi, K. (2023). Assistive technology use in the workplace by people with blindness and low vision: Perceived skill level, satisfaction, and challenges, assistive technology. Assistive Technology, DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2023.2213762
Sessler Trinkowsky, R. (June, 2021). Chromebook A11Y Expert Certificate Training Course. ACVREP.
Sessler Trinkowsky, R. (2015). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Accessibility Awareness Among Faculty in Online Learning Environments. Dissertation, Nova Southeastern University.
Additional Information
Rachael Sessler Trinkowsky prepares accessible curriculum and develops coursework for the Vision Studies Program at UMass Boston. In this role, she supports the assistive technology visual impairment (ATVI) graduate certificate and master’s degree program, preparing professionals to become AT instructional specialists for people with who are blind, deafblind, or who have low vision. She also recruits and advises students in the ATVI track.
For information about the program, plesae visit: NERCVE.org