Duke Eye Center Announces Collaboration to Advance Home Safety for Individuals with Low Vision

Duke Office for External Partnerships is pleased to share a new collaboration supporting the Duke University Bass Connections project, “Home Design for the Visually Impaired.” Led by Diane Whitaker, OD and Omar Mohiuddin, OTR/L, MS, MPH, CLVT of the Duke Eye Center, with support from Ed Pagani, PhD and Victor Taylor of the Duke Office for External Partnerships, this effort focuses on improving home safety, accessibility, and independence for individuals with low vision.

DwellSafe, a healthcare technology company focused on bridging the gap between healthcare and home safety, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Duke University School of Medicine to support this student‑driven initiative. The collaboration integrates clinical expertise, occupational therapy, design principles, and emerging technologies to develop practical, evidence‑based home‑safety solutions.

“At Duke, we are committed to educational and research partnerships that translate research into real-world impact,” said Ed Pagani, PhD, Executive Director of the Duke Office for External Partnerships. “This project provides opportunities to advance practical, scalable solutions that support individuals with visual impairment and strengthen their ability to live safely and independently in their homes.”

A joint steering committee will guide work in several areas, including improved assessment criteria for occupational therapists, accessible home‑safety education materials, evaluation of new technologies such as AI‑enabled tools, and co‑development of research and resources that support wider implementation of validated home‑safety strategies.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing real‑world solutions that enhance safety and quality of life for people with visual impairment, while creating expanded learning and research opportunities within Duke University.

[Link to Press Release] https://dwellsafe.ai/new-press/dwellsafe-duke-university-school-of-medicine-home-safety-low-vision/