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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VDOE Grants

The Kellar Institute for Human DisAbilities (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.


T/TAC & T/TAC Online

The Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTAC) at GMU is one of eight centers in a coordinated state-wide system funded by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). The TTAC provides services to school personnel to increase expertise and knowledge in evidence-based, effective instructional and behavioral practices. Services include: providing professional development and technical assistance; consulting with school-based teams; facilitating long-term technical assistance to schools; managing the web site — http://www.ttaconline.org; managing a lending library of multi-media resources and assistive technology; writing and publishing a newsletter; facilitating communities of learning, etc.

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AIM-VA

AIM-VA is a service of the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) through a grant to The Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities at George Mason University. AIM-VA provides accessible instructional materials to Virginia K-12 students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Accessible instructional materials are alternate print materials, (e.g., braille, electronic files) used by students who are not able to use traditional print formats.

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AT Initiative
(ATI)

The mission of the ATI is to provide individuals with disabilities access to technology that is available to all GMU employees and students, so that they have the tools needed to be as independent and successful as possible in GMU's academic environment. The ATI is a joint project supported by the University Equity Office, The Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities, and the Disability Resource Center.
We provide direct assistive technology assessment, training, and support services to individuals with disabilities in the Mason community who require immediate technology solutions. We also work closely with our campus strategic partners to develop and implement a broad, comprehensive EIT accessibility plan.

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Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

Leadership in Effective And Developmentally-appropriate Services (LEADS) in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) is an initiative in the Commonwealth of Virginia designed to create and support a network of statewide leaders responsible for administrative oversight of local ECSE programs. LEADS is led by the Virginia Department of Education’s 619 Coordinator and is supported by the Virginia Early Childhood Special Education Network (ECSE Network), which includes a LEADS coordinator/website manager.

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ASELA
Initiative

The Aspiring Special Education Leaders Academy (ASELA) is an initiative that assists school divisions and state-operated programs with succession planning. It is designed to bolster the leadership pipeline by helping to prepare promising leaders for future administrative positions in special education. Each cohort experiences a year-long program that includes a combination of monthly seminars, observations, assignments, discussion sessions, and internship experiences. Cohort members have opportunities to gain knowledge, skills, and experiences that help them to excel in special education leadership positions. In addition, booster sessions for alumni are offered periodically to allow continued professional development and networking opportunities. This initiative began in 2008 and has supported the development of over 300 special education leaders for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

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