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BIDDEFORD, Maine

UNE College of Osteopathic Medicine’s U-ExCEL Balancing Act manual adapted for individuals with visual impairment

Marilyn Gugliucci, Anne Cowles
Marilyn Gugliucci, Anne Cowles

Anne Cowles '10, M.P.H. '15, U-ExCEL fitness director and Marilyn Gugliucci, Ph.D., professor, director of Geriatrics and Research and U-ExCEL director, have adapted their U-ExCEL Balancing Act manual for individuals with vision impairment. Balancing Act is now an evidence-based balance program for older adults with vision impairment. In addition, Cowles has been working with organizations that provide services to the visually impaired.

The next steps in the project are to produce an audio file of the Balancing Act program specifically for those with vision impairment, as well as a video version of the manual for care partners. Both will be available on the U-ExCEL website. 

This project was based on an NIH-funded clinical trial conducted by UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine U-ExCEL program, The University of Maine Center on Aging, and the Iris Network staff.

Read more in The Blind Guide: Resources for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired. 

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.