Leah Samples' research pays particular attention to the interactions among assistive technology, disability, braille technology, agency, and citizenship in the twentieth century. Prior to coming to University of Pennsylvania, she studied at Vanderbilt University completing her M.Ed. in Community Development and Action and a graduate certificate in Medicine, Health, and Society. Between her undergraduate and graduate degrees, she worked as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Technology Access Center, an organization that develops and distributes assistive technology solutions and training to people with disabilities.