In this episode, Dr. Christi Carnahan and Dr. Kate Doyle discuss the role of self-determination in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They explore the definition of self-determination and its evolution over time. They also highlight the importance of teaching self-determination skills to students and the impact it has on their lives. The conversation focuses on the program at the University of Cincinnati that involves high school students and pre-service teachers, where self-determination and pre-employment skills are taught based on student-developed goals. Dr. Cadi Dart, director of high school programming, shares her insights on mentoring pre-service teachers and conducting research in self-determination. The episode concludes with a discussion on the power of student voice and the importance of not giving up in helping individuals with significant communication needs express themselves.

Takeaways

• Self-determination involves having the essential skills to make educated choices for one's life, promoting quality of life.
• Teaching self-determination skills to students with disabilities has a significant impact on their lives and post-school outcomes.
• The program at the University of Cincinnati focuses on individualized instruction and internships based on student-developed goals.
• Student voice is crucial, and educators should never give up on finding ways to hear and support individuals with significant communication needs.