Biljana Zuvela - Researcher/Evaluator, MA
Biljana began working for CNIB on a full-time basis in
2003. Since that time, she has been involved in a number of research and
evaluation projects. These include a project aimed at learning more about gaps
in Canadian social policy as they affect individuals living with vision loss, a
nationwide needs study examining quality-of-life issues faced by blind and
partially sighted Canadians, as well as formative and summative evaluations of
community learning network facilitating the use of the CNIB Digital Library.
Biljana is currently coordinating a study aimed at exploring and supporting the
pre-employment skills for children aged 5 to 14 who are blind or partially
sighted in Canada.
Prior
to joining CNIB, Biljana participated in
several projects in Serbia focused on promoting children's rights, peace
education, civil initiatives, community building and non-violent approaches to
the conflict in that country. She also coordinated a
program for children and youth deprived of parental care and placed in foster
families. These projects were supported and funded by UNICEF, Save the Children
UK and Save the Children Norway.
She received her Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology, also from
Belgrade University, in October 2002. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Vocational Psychology at Belgrade University
with a concentration on employment barriers and success facilitators for blind
and partially sighted working age people in Serbia.
Through
her educational and previous work experience,
Biljana has developed a strong understanding and sensitivity to many important challenges
experienced by people with disabilities. She is versed in
both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, including
literature reviews, document reviews, surveys, and interviews. Biljana is known
for her commitment to excellence in all stages of the research and evaluation
process.