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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PhD Students Funding

The Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbility provides support for Ph.D. students’ travel and technology as needed to meet their goals for research and professional growth. In addition, the Helen Kellar Scholarship is available for Ph.D. students within the College of Education and Human Development whose research is focused on individuals with disabilities (see scholarships).

Faculty in the Division of Special Education and disAbility Research at George Mason support doctoral students with multiple opportunities for developing leadership skills in research, teaching, and service, and have received grants that also provide support for students’ tuition, travel, and technology needs.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

The following supports are available for upcoming doctoral students with primary specialization in special education:

  • 10-hour and/or 20-hour GRA grant funded position(s) on the federally funded project aiming to improve essay writing for struggling writers with and without disabilities through motivating educational games

  • Supplemental packages including a laptop, wireless keyboard and mouse, headset, tablet, travel stipend up to $2,000 per year to support conference travel, research stipend up to $1,000 per year to support research activities

CURRENT/ON-GOING OPPORTUNITIES

Project ASPIRE

Project ASPIRE: Advancing Special Education Pedagogy, Innovation, and Research toward Effective Interventions focuses on technology in teacher preparation and research for students with high-incidence disabilities. This program offers student support for tuition, fellowships, travel, and supplies with funding from a U.S. Department of Education (OSEP) grant.

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Virginia Is for Leaders

Virginia Is for Leaders: Development of Experts in Evidence-based Literacy Practices for Students with Disabilities focuses on the development of experts in evidence-based literacy practices for students with high-incidence disabilities. This program offers student support for tuition, fellowships, travel and supplies with funding from a U.S. Department of Education (OSEP) grant. Collaboration with the University of Virginia.

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