Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) - College of Education and Human Development - George Mason University
About KIHd
About Us

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) is an interdisciplinary campus-based organization focusing on improving the lives and productivity of children and adults with disabilities. KIHd combines the resources of the university with local, state, regional, national, public, and private sector agencies and organizations to develop products, services, and programs for persons with disabilities.

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Student using assistive technology keyboard
Licensure, Certificates & Training Grants

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) collaborates with a consortium of Virginia universities to offer training/licensure options for teachers of students with visual impairments and severe disabilities. Distance education makes the programs more accessible and maximizes the number of individuals who can receive the training.

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students, parents, professionals attending state of the art conference
VDOE Grants

With the support from Virgina Department of Education KIHd serves teachers, parents, therapists, and community service providers by providing a variety of continuing learning experiences via annual workshops, conferences, and project activities. In many cases, KIHd uses distance education to provide teacher training and professional development across the state.

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Project We Got It
Research

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) continues to build and support numerous educational research projects that vary across disciplines spearheaded by the Mason faculty members. Our goal is to increase evidence based instructional and behavioral strategies to improve academic outcomes for all students with disabilities.

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Leadership Grants
DOCTORAL AND MASTERS STUDENTS

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (KIHd) doctoral and masters students conduct cutting edge research at George Mason University that is aimed to serve persons with disabilities and their families.

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Director's Assessment

Director's Assessment of the Institute's Contributions, Needs & Future Potential

The Helen A. Kellar Center for Human disAbilties has been a viable and contributing entity within the GMU community since it's inception. The KIHd has become a recognizable organization providing services to the GMU community of students, faculty and staff, as well as to thousands of Virginians. It is also producing scholarly and practical work nationally and internationally. The KIHd could improve through collaboration within the GMU community of scholars and practitioners that are interested in persons with disabilities. The market for the services and products of the KIHd remain extensive and needed. For example, as state government has declined, various departments have increased funding at the KIHd to provide technical assistance and services to northern Virginia. Funding from state and national resources could increase to $5 million to $10 million per year or more with the involvement of the professional community within GMU and the region. The KIHd has scarcely touched the available sources of funding from private foundations. However, in order to achieve such potential, it will be necessary for GMU to make an investment in the infrastructure of the KIHd. Whether this is through an endowment or university funds, the KIHd needs to move to the next level of organization where professional management directed by a faculty board of directors includes a chief operating officer, a fiscal officer, a development specialist, and adequate support staff. Additionally, adequate facilities and equipment need to be available in order to become a national and regional resource recognized by all as part of GMU.