To realize more equitable technology futures, it is not enough to simply adapt technology to be more inclusive "after" it is created. We will also need to equip technology creators with the skills they need to critically reflect upon bias and exclusion "during" the technology design process. The question of how to best to…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how secondary school administrators describe their professional learning and productive partnerships in special education to lead in inclusive schools in public schools in the Northeast Region of the United States. The conceptual framework for this study is the Star Model developed…

This study delved into the critical examination of culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) and its integration into the English/language arts (ELA) curriculum. CRP, rooted in acknowledging and accommodating the diverse literacy levels, languages, and cultural practices of students, holds significant promise in enhancing educational equity and…

In Saudi Arabia, the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is on the rise, and the government is committed to improving nationwide special education services through legislative measures aimed at enhancing the flexibility of inclusion for students with ASD within school settings. However, students with ASD often encounter social challenges, especially in…

The purpose of this descriptive case study was to understand how middle grades general education teachers in a suburban school district in the southeast region of the United States described their attitudes towards including SWD in their classrooms, given that it was unknown how middle school content area teachers in language arts, math, science,…

College students with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) are afforded many educational opportunities through Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (IPSE) programs, including employment training. Competitive employment can contribute a rich independent life, thus more employment training opportunities can be beneficial. Low employment rates for adults…

The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore affordances for STEM-related skills in a nature preschool in central Texas. Observations were conducted along with the collection of videos and photographs of four preschool-aged participants. Informal interviews were also implemented during data collection and observations. Semi-formal…

This qualitative action research study examined the SAGES academic coaching program, a pilot program for first-year students who identify as having a disability. The study focused on the student-coach relationship and goal setting during coaching. Five students and three coaches participated in the study. I observed one coaching session for each…

There is a lack of understanding of what encompasses a (dis)ability and how ableism plays a role in educational settings. Ableism, as the discrimination of individuals with (dis)abilities, is found in educational settings and is often covert or benevolent. The purpose of this study was to understand how master's level special education teachers…

Successful collaboration is a pressing need for groups, organizations, and communities who are looking to identify solutions to local problems. As these local problems become increasingly complex, collaboration requires the engagement and active participation of diverse stakeholders. In order to support the success of cross-sector, multiple…

The diagnosis of individuals on the autism spectrum (AS) has received international attention in recent years. This is partly due to the potentially distressing and challenging barriers individuals and their families face as well as a rise in prevalence rates (Weiss & Rohland, 2014). Research has indicated an increase in individuals on the AS,…

Conducting courses are a common feature of the choral music teacher education curriculum. However, practicing teachers often place lower value on conducting skills than other skills necessary for effective teaching. There may be a disconnect between the emphasis placed on conducting in the undergraduate curriculum and the relevance of conducting…

This dissertation in practice documents the program evaluation of the Community Scholars (CS) program at the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities (FCIC), a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at the University of South Florida (USF). CS is part of a diversity pipeline program that recruits youth with…

Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities (EBDs) are often pushed out of the least restrictive schooling environment due to schools' inability to meet their unique learning needs (OSEP, 2020). School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SW-PBIS) is a research-based framework for helping school teams establish social and…

PreK children with developmental delays in inclusive classrooms need access to math interventions helps them develop foundational math skills that are needed to succeed during their K-12 education. Research is significantly lacking that addresses increasing math skills for children with disabilities in PreK classrooms. The purpose of this study…