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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VATS North: Virginia Assistive Technology System North

The Virginia Assistive Technology System North (VATS North) is a regional site for the Virginia Assistive Technology System (VATS) and is committed to improving the quality of life for all Virginians by increasing awareness and accessibility of assistive technology.

VATS North provides and coordinates resources that promote the independence, productivity, and quality of life for Virginians of all ages with disabilities in the northern and northwestern regions of the state.

As defined by the Technology-Related Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-407), assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities, or any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. There are thousands of assistive technology devices available today, including augmentative communication devices, visual and auditory sensory enhancers, environmental controls, computer software programs, adapted keyboards and alternative input devices for computers, positioning and mobility equipment, adapted sports and recreation equipment, self-care items, and other adaptive devices to promote independence in home, school, business, leisure, and community settings.

The VATS North regional site is located at the Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities at George Mason University. VATS North provides many assistive technology support services for individuals with varying abilities and challenges, and for their families and related professionals. Click on the menu links at the top of this web page to learn more about VATS North services.

Requests to VATS North for information or referral can be made by phone at
703-993-3929, by e-mail at vatsn@gmu.edu, or online on the VATS North Request Form web page.

In addition to the VATS North regional site, VATS has a central office in Richmond and two additional regional sites that provide local contact points throughout Virginia for information and resources across designated regions. These regional sites provide training, public awareness, and general technical assistance for consumers in need of assistive technology. To contact these sites:

VATS Central office in Richmond: Website: www.vats.org. Phones: (804) 662-9990 (local voice and text), (800) 552-5019 or (800) 435-8490 (both lines are toll-free voice and text).

VATS Southeast regional site in Norfolk: Phone: (757) 683-3639 (voice)

VATS Southwest regional site in Blacksburg: Phones: (540) 231-4270 (voice) or (540) 231-3035 (text). http://www.lions.odu.edu/org/vats/