A New Yorker through and through, Dr. Jaclyn Packer has worked for more than 40 years researching several areas related to disability. Since worked for years as a  research associate for the American Foundation for the Blind. We had the opportunity to talk to her as part of our series of interviews with our advisory group, and she had some fascinating insight to share with us.
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It’s hard to imagine that in the not-too-distant past, the vibrant and multicultural neighborhood of Jackson Heights in Queens resembled more of a serene small town where families knew their neighbors and doors were left unlocked. This is the very place where Jacki grew up, just a stone’s throw away, or rather a couple of subway stops, from the heart of Manhattan.

“I was a curious kid. Everything interested me, and I was always pursuing one thing or another. I have my hand in a lot of different things because I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, so I'm trying to do it all.”

Perhaps this curiosity came from her father, a self-taught engineer who for years worked with sheet metal, putting together objects and planning dimensions for a small factory in Brooklyn, or maybe it was her mother’s influence who worked as a bookkeeper in the garment district. Despite the difficulties this hardworking, loving family of four, provided a nurturing and welcoming environment, where neighbors escaped the scorching New York summers in the comfort of Jacki's air-conditioned bedroom, a rarity in those days.

“When I was a kid, I thought my mother was a librarian, and my father drove a train,” Jacki says with a chuckle. “My father was a brilliant man, he never finished high school, but towards the end of his life, he was taking computer classes and had these diagrams taped all along the wall. I ended up becoming very interested in computers”

At an early age, Jacki found herself captivated by the idea of disability, which was sparked by the book “Follow my Leader” by James B. Garfield. It is the story of a blind boy’s experiences with his guide dog and how he had to learn to do everything differently after losing his sight. “Kids would make fun of him, and the dog would protect him. It was great. I should read it again, just to see what I found so interesting back then.”

Jacki attended Queens College, initially pursuing a major in mathematics. However, during her studies, she encountered a particularly challenging course that she struggled to pass. Faced with this obstacle, she made the decision to switch her major and delve into the field of psychology. Despite the change, she remained deeply fond of math and statistics, even though some students humorously referred to it as "sadistics." Her love for these subjects continued to thrive alongside her new academic path in psychology, bringing her a unique perspective in her journey as a student and future researcher. “I always liked psychology. I remember, as a kid, I would read Freud, I would bring my Freud book to my babysitting jobs- it must have been amusing for the parents”

Jacki doesn’t recall having a particular interest in disability back then, just a strong desire to right the wrongs, “whenever I saw social injustices, it always upset me and I tried to make it right”.

As she started to look for a job, one ad in The New York Times for the American Foundation for the Blind caught her attention, “it just lit up on the page”. It was a for research/administrative assistant position where Jacki met her wonderful boss, mentor and ultimately very good friend Dr. Corinne Kirchner. “We just really hit it off, and she taught me just everything about research. It was a wonderful experience.”

You might want to read: Universal Design by Jaclyn Packer, PhD

Jacki was involved in a study on vocational rehabilitation counselors. She was looking at how the counselors reacted to gender when it came to job placement. Many women ended up as homemakers, while men were more likely to be put into jobs. “I developed a resume, and I did one version with a man's name and one version with a woman's name and sent it out to the rehabilitation group.” The study was published in the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, and it was well received. People were very interested in it. “Hopefully it changed people's minds.” (1)

Jacki contemplates the impact of research, acknowledging, "Sometimes I feel like its reach is limited since the primary audience tends to be other researchers." However, the groundbreaking work carried out by Corinne and Jacki for the Department of Education on video description in the early nineties became a pivotal moment for the field. Thanks to the support of the American Foundation for the Blind's lobbying arm, they successfully distributed the booklet to every member of Congress even before the legislation requiring audio description was passed. Jacki humbly expresses,“I'd like to think that the book had an impact on them.”

The three-pronged approach of research, institution, and change makers, in this case, the government, stands as a testament to what Jacki considers the fundamental pillars for independent research. These pillars encompass securing funding, maintaining motivation, and embodying stick-to-itiveness in the face of challenges.

Her proudest achievements include conducting extensive oral histories of the early audio description pioneers for the Department of Education. She had the privilege of interviewing prominent figures such as Margaret Pfansteihl, Gregory Frazier, and Barry Cronin, who were instrumental in the inception of this groundbreaking concept. Traveling all over the country, she personally conducted one to three-hour interviews, capturing the essence of their experiences on real tape.“Part of my report to the Department of Education was a lengthy chapter, pulling together how the idea of audio description started and how it changed, and what the different ideas were about it.”

Through her in-depth conversations, Jacki discovered a fascinating revelation: three different individuals independently conceived the idea of audio description almost simultaneously, exemplifying the serendipitous nature of ideas coming to fruition.

“I would say that the biggest challenge is trying to change people's minds and make them understand why this is important. And then the older I get, the more I see that disability is sort of coming for us, all if you live long enough. So, maybe it doesn't benefit you now, but it probably benefits your parents and your grandparents, and it probably will benefit you in the future.”

Jacki's unyielding curiosity, strong sense of justice, and spirit of adventure remain undiminished. She loves watching movies, especially those in the horror/thriller genre, and actively seeks out kooky museums during her travels, like the Al Capone museum in Chicago. You might run into her exploring Manhattan incognito as a tourist to experience everything with fresh eyes, or enjoying her favorite vacation destinations in Paris or Cape Cod. She has a passion for new experiences.

Above all, Jacki's willingness to jump on projects that benefit others defines her character. Her drive to make a positive impact reflects her nature. Whether it's research related to accessibility or any endeavor that promotes the well-being of others, she embraces opportunities to contribute and improve the lives of those around her.

(1)“Sex Stereotyping in Vocational Counseling of Blind/Visually Impaired Persons: A National Study of Counselor Choices” published in Volume 77, Issue 6 of the Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness.