Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbility - George Mason University
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.

Coronavirus/COVID-19 Notice:

Mason to move to virtual instruction for rest of semester, extend spring schedule by a week. Find out what you need to know to be prepared. Visit Mason's Coronavirus Information page and read Dean Ginsberg’s letter to CEHD students.

The I’m Determined Youth and Parent Summit

The I’m Determined Youth and Parent Summit

October 13, 2020

The I’m Determined Youth and Parent Summit is a three-day event held each June and sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education and the Partnership for People with Disabilities. Youth with disabilities from across the Commonwealth meet to network and discuss issues of importance to youth and young adults with disabilities. Headquartered at JMU, and with Coordinators at TTACs throughout the state, I’m Determined is a popular project of VDOE that fosters student skills of self-determination. Identified Virginia Youth Leaders with disabilities assume key roles in planning and delivering events.

This year’s summit was completely virtual and quite successful. The event included participants from 1,257 households. 42 states and 25 countries. The Virginia Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Student Services, the Virginia Superintendent for Public Instruction and the Virginia Secretary of Education all came to student Zoom planning and debriefing meetings throughout the 5-day online Summit.

TTAC’s Diane Loomis was a general Summit organizer and specific organizer of the session on self-determined problem-solving. Geoff Weber presented assistive technology for organization. Cindy George presented on AIM Virginia.

Contents of the I’m Determined 2020 Youth and Parent Summit may be accessed at VA Family: Visit the 2020 I'm Determined Virtual Youth & Parent Summit's Recorded Sessions, Virtual AT Lab & Exhibitor Resources (Virginia Department of Education, VDOE) and TTAC Online: Visit the 2020 I'm Determined Virtual Youth & Parent Summit’s Recorded Sessions, Virtual AT Lab & Exhibitor Resources (Virginia Department of Education, VDOE).