Date: September 20th, 2025
Title: Storying Blindness: An Artistic and Cultural Response
Principal Student Investigator: Keely Grossman, PhD Candidate
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Carleton University
Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Ummni Khan, Associate Professor Law and Legal Studies, Carleton
University
As a member of the Blind and Visually impaired community, I invite you to share your story as a part of
a research project.
This project seeks to learn about the stories, histories and cultures of the blind and visually impaired
community. As part of the research, participants will be asked to participate in a one hour audio recorded
individual interview with the researcher over Zoom. Following the interviews, participants will be asked
to submit an original creative response piece which can either be 1-3 poems, a personal, or fiction story
of up to 1.000 words, 1-3 drawings, a Zine, 1-3 photos, or an audio recorded piece of up to 5 minutes
such as a song.
Participation in this study will help contribute to theoretical, policy
and activist oriented recommendations.
Participation in this study is voluntary and you have the right to withdraw from the study at
Any point up until two weeks after the interview. Since sensitive topics and experiences might be
discussed during the research process, a list of mental health resources aimed at ensuring wellbeing will be provided.
To participate in the study, you must be a part of the blind/visually impaired community, be
18+, be fluent in English (but can be from/living in any country), but you do not need to identify as a
poet, writer, or artist.
If you have any questions, or if you are interested in participating, please contact Keely
Grossman (Principal Student Investigator) at keelygrossman@cmail.carleton.ca . If you have
further questions, or concerns you are welcome to also get into contact with Dr. Ummni Khan
(Faculty Supervisor) at ummni.khan@carleton.ca
Thank you,
Keely Grossman
This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through Carleton University’s
Research Ethics Board. Project #123377. If you have any questions about your rights as a
research participant, please contact the Carleton University Research Ethics Office (by phoneat 613-520-2600 ext. 2517 or by email at ethics@carleton.ca)
________________________________________
From: Keely Grossman
Sent: September 20, 2025 3:07 PM
To: Ann Chiappetta
Subject: Re: study response
Hi Annie,
Thank you so much for reaching out and expressing interest in my research study.
You are welcome to distribute the letter of invitation on any Facebook groups, email lists, or blogs. However, it’s important to note that because you also might be participating in the research study, to not share that you’re participating in the project in any distribution posts if you don’t want to be identifiable in the research. I’m going to send a follow up with just the letter of invitation (for easier access on your end) that you can then just copy/paste/use for distribution if you feel comfortable doing so, but there’s absolutely no pressure.
In terms of your expression of interest in participating in the study, I am attaching an informed consent form to this email which has more details about the project to help you decide whether you’d like to participate.
The file is in a Word document, if you are having trouble going through the form, please just let me know. If you decide that you’d like to participate, but are having trouble signing the form, please also just let me know.
A couple of Reminders:
It’s important to note that participating in this study is completely voluntary and you have the right to withdraw from the study up until two weeks after the date of the online interview.
There is absolutely no pressure to participate.
I am happy to answer any questions at any point, so please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have, or to ask for any clarification that you may need!
Best,
Keely
________________________________________
From: Ann Chiappetta
Sent: September 20, 2025 11:40 AM
To: Keely Grossman
Subject: study response
[External Email]
Hi Keely-
I would like to help you distribute your study request for participants on our email list and blog and Facebook page if this is okay with you.
I would also like to become a participant.
Thanks,
Annie C.
Ann M. Chiappetta, MS
President, Friends In Art, Inc.
president@friendsinart.org www.friendsinart.org
914.393.6605
www.annchiappetta.com
“We are cups, constantly and quietly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.”
– Ray Bradbury
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