About Us
Mission Statement
Independence Science empowers learners of all ages who are blind, low vision, and print disabled to gain a hands-on, multi-sensory experience in classrooms and laboratories. By providing solutions through access technology and consultation, we facilitate barrier-free learning environments in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Educational background
President and Founder of Independence Science Cary Supalo lost his eyesight when he was seven years old. The need to quickly adapt to a new world deepened Cary’s curiosity of the environment and how things work. His inquisitive perspective led him to explore the sciences at his home high school in Bolingbrook, Illinois. Nurtured and encouraged to question the mechanics of the world, Cary continued his pursuit of the sciences at Purdue University. Cary completed his undergraduate studies with a B.S. in Chemistry and a B.A. in Communication in 1999. While studies in communications developed his presentation skills, Cary followed his passion for science to the Pennsylvania State University. His graduate work resulted in a Masters in Inorganic Chemistry in 2005.
Following his graduate work, Cary’s interest in developing tools and technologies to assist blind, low vision or print disabled (BLV) learners flourished. Combining his educational background within chemistry, blind learning techniques and his drive to understand how things work, he began his doctorate research in Chemistry with a focus in chemistry education. Cary established a goal of shifting the role of BLV learners within the classroom from passive participants to engaged multi-sensory learners. Research to determine the effectiveness and improve access technology began in the Independent Laboratory Access for the Blind (ILAB) project. The ILAB research led to the first set of speech-accessible tools for Independence Science. The technology developed laid the groundwork for the wide range of products and services offered by Independence Science today.
Personal Belief
“Through the development of these innovative access technologies, we can truly level the playing field for students who are BLV in the science classroom and hopefully encourage an interest in STEM career paths. I feel that the work of Independence Science is helping create a more barrier-free learning environment for students who are BLV in science classrooms nationwide. My experience with developing these access technologies has taught me that blindness need not be a barrier in the pursuit of one's ambitions to achieve whatever goals he or she aspires to achieve."
- Founder and President of Independence Science, Cary Supalo, Ph.D.