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.
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