Tri-State Webinar: Empowered by Choice: The Why and How of Self-Determination

Webinar Description:

Lauren Bruno and Ben Edwards will provide an overview of the philosophy of self-determination, its principles, and its importance to people with disabilities and self-advocacy, as well as how professionals can teach it to the people they work with. This webinar will help you understand the importance of self-determination as it relates to greater life outcomes for people with and without disabilities and the transition to adulthood. This session will also explore the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction, an intervention to help people with disabilities set and attain goals, and the important components of its delivery and practice, and how they can help anyone to lead a self-determined life.

After attending this webinar, participants will:

• Know what it means to live a self-determined life and why it is important

• Understand how to set and go after goals and how others can be taught to do so

Presenter Information:

Dr. Lauren Bruno’s research centers on improving post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities by promoting inclusive, evidence-based approaches. She aims to increase access to postsecondary education, competitive integrated employment, and meaningful community participation for people with disabilities. A key focus of her research is supporting educators to implement effective transition practices, including the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI), which empowers people to set and work towards goals. Through her work, she contributes to building more inclusive systems that support self-determination and long-term success for individuals with disabilities, while bridging the gap between research and practice. Dr. Bruno was a former high-school special educator and uses her experience to guide her work today.

Ben Edwards holds a B.S. in Cultural Studies from the University of Central Missouri and a graduate certificate in Disability Studies from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He works as an assistant researcher at the KU Center on Developmental Disabilities and has worked as a Program Enrichment Coordinator, resident advisor, and co-instructor for UMKC’s Propel Program, which served postsecondary students with disabilities. Ben has been a collaborator and co-investigator on many federally funded grants at KUCD and is also part of the education and training team alongside Lauren. He also serves on the executive board of Neurodiverse KC, a local organization run by self-advocates.