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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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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Project TURTLES

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Project TURTLES:
Project Training special edUcatoRs To Lead with Evidence and Support

Project Training special edUcatoRs To Lead with Evidence and Support (TURTLES) is funded by a $3.7 million grant from the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) within the U.S. Department of Education. The purpose of Project TURTLES is to address national and state-identified shortages in special education personnel who are well qualified for, and can act effectively as, leaders in special education positions.

Project TURTLES is a collaboration between George Mason University and two partnering universities, Auburn University (AU) and the University of Oklahoma [OU].turtle logo The project will prepare 24 doctoral scholars (8 per university) with the specialized skillset needed to be successful in special education leadership positions in a range of educational settings (e.g., state education agencies, lead agencies under Part C of IDEA, local educational agencies, or contemporary school-choice settings).

Scholar preparation will emphasize research- and evidence-based instructional and leadership practices known to improve outcomes for children with disabilities and their families as a means to improve instruction, interventions, and services, as well as recruitment and retention of highly-qualified teachers. In exchange for two years of service for every year of funding, scholars will receive substantial support to complete their doctoral programs within four years.