Florida's First Choice for Autism Supports

Tammy Jorgensen Smith

Tammy Jorgensen Smith, PhD, CRC has a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Services from Florida State University and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education with a specialization in Leadership from Barry University. She has been a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor since 1999. Dr. Smith joined the University of South Florida in 2007 as a Research Assistant Professor with the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities – a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. Currently, Dr. Smith is a tenured Associate Professor in the Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling Program and remains affiliated with the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities through federal research grants. Her research focuses on the development and implementation of innovative, transition and employment models to promote full inclusion and self-determination for people with disabilities. Dr. Smith serves on the editorial board of three prestigious journals and serves as an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Rehabilitation. In addition to completing manuscript, grant, and textbook reviews, Dr. Smith has published multiple peer-reviewed articles, research abstracts, and book chapters. She also presents her research at local, state, national, and international conferences. In 2014, she received the National APSE Research Award in recognition of her contributions to the field. In 2024, Dr. Smith (Principal Investigator) was awarded $9.9 million in federal funding from the Rehabilitation Services Administration to implement and refine the Delivering Innovative Vocational Education through Virtual Reality Technology (DIVE-VRT) project. The project will utilize virtual reality and artificial intelligence technologies to train and certify youth and adults with lifelong and acquired disabilities in skilled trades.

Financial: Conference Registration paid. The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant (H421F240044) from the U.S. Department of Education (Department). The Department does not mandate or prescribe practices, models, or other activities described or discussed in this document. The contents of this website may contain examples of, adaptations of, and links to resources created and maintained by another public or private organization. The Department does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. The content of this presentation does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department. This presentation is not intended to represent the views or policy of or be an endorsement of any views expressed or materials provided by any Federal agency. Non-Financial: None to disclose

I'm Speaking At

January 17, 2026
Skip to content