I am pleased to share the Summer 2025 edition of the Institute for Human Development (IHD) newsletter. In this issue, we highlight several recent initiatives that reflect our enduring commitment to inclusive practices, meaningful partnerships, and innovative supports for individuals with disabilities in Arizona and beyond.
Highlights of this issue include the following:
A recap of the 26th annual Evidence for Success Disability Conference, held in June at Gila River Resorts and Casinos – Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona. With a record-breaking 600+ attendees, 64 sessions, and over 50 exhibitors, the conference brought together professionals, families, and advocates to explore key topics such as assistive technology, disability-inclusive artificial intelligence (AI), disability policy and advocacy, and American Indian/Alaska Native vocational rehabilitation.
A look back at the activities of the Advancing Assistive Technology for Learning and Accessibility in Higher Education for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ATLAS) Project.ATLAS, which concluded on June 30, supported students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in using assistive technology to navigate college and gain independence.
An update on the Providing Accessible Training and Home Support (PATHS) for Parents with Intellectual Disabilities Project, which seeks to increase access to high-quality parenting support for people with intellectual disabilities.
An overview of the Online Privacy and Safety (OPS) Project, which has delivered 14 digital safety workshops in partnership with community organizations, reaching over 50 individuals with disabilities.
A profile of NAU’s Minor in Disability Studies program, supported by the Vital Projects Fund. Now in its third year, this funding has expanded the program’s reach by supporting inclusive teaching initiatives, public events like the Disability Film Festival, and the creation of educational media that highlights the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities.
The work featured in this newsletter is made possible by the dedication of IHD staff and community partners who work tirelessly to advance access, equity, and full participation for all. Your commitment and support amplify our collective impact, reaching classrooms, campuses, families, and communities across Arizona.
Thank you and remember: Together we are stronger.
Kelly D. Roberts, PhD
Executive Director and Professor
News
Record-Breaking Attendance at the 2025 IHD Evidence for Success Disability Conference
Adi Schaeffer and Kyle W. Beam
The Institute for Human Development at Northern Arizona University hosted the 26th annual Evidence for Success Disability Conference from June 22–24, 2025, at Gila River Resorts and Casinos – Wild Horse Pass in Chandler, Arizona. While rooted in Arizona, the conference drew a diverse group of professionals, educators, advocates, families, and service providers from across the nation.
With record-breaking attendance, this year’s conference brought together over 600 participants for three days of dynamic programming. Featuring 64 educational sessions and over 50 exhibitors, the event offered many opportunities for learning, networking, and professional development. Content strands covered a wide range of topics, including disability-inclusive artificial intelligence (AI), assistive technology, American Indian/Alaska Native vocational rehabilitation, and disability policy and advocacy.
Participants praised the conference for its high-quality, focused sessions, the variety of topics tailored to different interests and professions, and the overall positive atmosphere. Attendees singled out the engaging keynote speakers and the impressive display of assistive technology from vendors, noting the wealth of possibilities it presented. Reflecting this positive experience, 97.8% of survey respondents reported being either highly satisfied or satisfied with the event overall.
Empowering Access: The ATLAS Project’s Impact on Student Success Through Assistive Technology
Sakénya McDonald and Kyle W. Beam
What happens when students with disabilities gain access to cutting-edge assistive technology?
When “SPV” first received a Livescribe Echo Pen from their campus disability resource office, they were eager to discover how this new tool, which syncs written notes with audio recordings, might support their academic journey. However, outdated hardware, a complex setup process, and compatibility issues posed barriers to its use. With guidance from an assistive technology specialist (ATS) through the Advancing Assistive Technology for Learning and Accessibility in Higher Education for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities(ATLAS) Project, SPV overcame these challenges. They launched the Livescribe app, explored its features, and began integrating the pen into their daily academic routine. SPV not only gained confidence in using assistive technology (AT) but also developed valuable digital literacy and self-advocacy skills.
The ATLAS Project was funded by a two-year award from the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council. Before the project’s conclusion on June 30, 2025, ATLAS staff supported students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in navigating postsecondary education through the effective use of AT. This includes a wide range of tools, both high-tech and low-tech, that assist with learning, communication, organization, and daily tasks. By promoting AT awareness and use, the ATLAS Project was designed to enhance academic performance, foster self-determination, and ultimately build long-term independence among students.
PATHS Project Expands Support for Parents with Intellectual Disabilities
Nicole Rambeau and Kyle W. Beam
The Institute for Human Development continues to enhance support for individuals with disabilities through its innovative project, Providing Accessible Training and Home Support (PATHS) for Parents with Intellectual Disabilities. Funded by the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, the PATHS Project seeks to increase access to high-quality parenting support for Arizona parents with intellectual disabilities (ID) who are raising children up to five years of age.
Approximately 4.1 million parents in the United States have a disability, with 1.6 million having a cognitive disability. To address the unique needs of these parents and their families, PATHS staff collaborate closely with home visiting programs across Arizona that provide parenting education and child development support through regular home visits by trained professionals.
Online Privacy and Safety Project Advances Digital Safety for Arizona's
Disability Community
John McDermott, Jade Metzger-Riftkin, and Kyle W. Beam
Digital threats are a growing reality for Arizonans. According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly 55,000 fraud reports were filed in the state last year, resulting in over $1.8 million in losses. At the same time, the Pew Research Center has noted increasing rates of online harassment, including stalking, threats, and targeted embarrassment.
Digital tools are essential to modern life, and the ability to recognize and respond to online risks is critical for everyone. This need is especially urgent for people with disabilities, who often face additional vulnerabilities and limited access to digital safety education.
Funded by the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, the Institute for Human Development’s Online Privacy and Safety (OPS) Project addresses this gap by equipping individuals with disabilities and their support networks to navigate the internet with confidence. Since its launch in September 2024, the OPS team has offered 14 digital safety workshops in partnership with five disability organizations, reaching more than 50 participants.
Fueling Growth: Vital Projects Fund Supports IHD’s Minor in Disability Studies
John Schaffer and Kyle W. Beam
Support from the Vital Projects Fund has played a pivotal role in expanding the reach and impact of the Minor in Disability Studies (DS) program at Northern Arizona University’s Institute for Human Development (NAU-IHD). Now in its third year, this funding has advanced IHD’s mission to promote full inclusion by reshaping public attitudes toward disability, fostering authentic representation, and providing students with meaningful opportunities for community engagement.
NAU’s DS minor program is one of the few of its kind in the nation, placing it at the forefront of academic and cultural change around disability. While the minor has been offered by the university since 2008, the initiatives made possible by the Vital Projects Fund have significantly deepened its influence across campus and in the broader community.
One of the most visible impacts of the fund has been the formal hiring of Justice Armfield, a young man with Down syndrome, as a co-instructor for DIS 201: Introduction to Disability Studies. Armfield, who began as a guest teacher through a high school transition program, now co-teaches the course alongside longtime faculty. His participation embodies the core principle of disability studies, “Nothing about us without us.” NAU is one of the only universities in the country to include a person with Down syndrome in a teaching role, offering students a powerful model of lived experience and inclusion.
Now Available: ALIGNS Workbook for Inclusive College Transition
Sakénya McDonald and Kyle W. Beam
The Accessible Learning and Inclusive Guidelines for Network Success (ALIGNS) Workbook is now available!
This practical guide, developed by the Institute for Human Development with support from the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (ADDPC), is designed to help educators, counselors, service providers, families, and community partners support students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) in their transition to college.
Navigating the transition from high school to higher education can be challenging, especially for students with unique learning needs. The ALIGNS Workbook offers a clear, evidence-based roadmap to help students with I/DD thrive in college. It includes
strategies tailored to three key stages: high school planning, transition efforts (e.g., dual enrollment, campus visits), and first-year college success;
practical tools for supporting student self-determination in the transition process;
role-specific guidance for campus staff, community partners, and family supports;
insights drawn from national college transition initiatives; and
templates for collaborative planning across high school and college settings.
Whether you’re a disability resource officer, a high school transition specialist, a parent, or a peer mentor, the ALIGNS Workbook provides structured, actionable support for fostering inclusive, student-centered pathways into postsecondary education.
Together, we can contribute to a more equitable, empowering college experience for all.
The ALIGNS Workbook was developed with funding from the ADDPC and draws on the insights gained through IHD’s Supporting Inclusive Practices in Colleges (SIP-C) project, which is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Education (award number P407A200082).
On Friday, March 21, the Supporting Inclusive Practices in Colleges (SIP-C) mentors hosted a virtual talent showcase on Zoom to celebrate the creativity of our mentees and mentors. Participants shared a wide range of talents, including musical performances, graphic design, animation programming, sculpture, and drawing. Events like this allow our community to connect and engage, no matter where members are located. The talent show offered an opportunity to highlight the diverse skills within our program and build relationships that go beyond traditional mentorship. We look forward to hosting more events in the future to continue fostering connection and community.
The annual “Not-Inspiration P*rn Disability Film Festival" is now preparing for its fourth installment in Fall 2025! It will feature award-winning short films from around the world alongside local productions.
Over 100 people attended the 2024 screening, with expectations for even greater participation in 2025.
More information coming soon!
Institute for Human Development | 912 W Riordan Road | Flagstaff, AZ 86011 US
