In this episode, Dr. Jessica Schuttler, Director of Kansas LEND, and Emma Watson, a former LEND trainee and school psychology doctoral student, share how the program shaped their professional paths and personal perspectives. Frombuilding lifelong mentorships to learning with and from people with disabilities, this episode is all about connection, compassion, and leadership.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to LEND and Its Impact

06:43 Personal Journeys and Experiences in LEND

12:40 Understanding the LEND Program

18:18 Clinical Experiences and Highlights of LEND

27:15 The Unique Value of LEND Training

35:25 The Future of LEND and Its ImportanceWatch Accessible on YouTube! ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@umkcihd

Resources in this episode:

- Kansas LEND Website: https://www.kumc.edu/school-of-medicine/academics/departments/pediatrics/academics/leadership-education-in-neurodevelopment-and-related-disabilities-(lend).html

- Beach Center on Disability: https://kucd.ku.edu/beach-center-disability-family-resources

- KU OASIS (Online and Applied Systems ofIntervention Skills) Program: https://oasis.ku.edu/

- Educational Specialist Degree in School Psychologyat University of Kansas: https://epsy.ku.edu/academics/school-psychology/specialist-degree

Acronym Guide:

DD Act: Developmental Disabilities Act

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities

IDDRC: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ResearchCenter

LEND: Leadership Education in NeurodevelopmentalDisabilities

Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/products/

For more information about UMKC-Institute for HumanDevelopment, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at the Missouri Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program—better known as LEND. Our guests are Dr. Rosie Kaemmerer, Co-Director of the Missouri LEND program, and Carson Miller, a physical therapist and former LEND trainee.

Carson shares how the program gave him the tools to become a stronger, more thoughtful practitioner. Rosie offers insight into how LEND’s interdisciplinary approach fosters collaboration and support—not just for trainees, but for faculty and clinicians as well.

Resources in this episode:

• Missouri LEND (TIPS for Kids) Website: https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/tips4kids/

• Learn more about LEND programs nationally: https://www.aucd.org/urc/lend2

Watch Accessible on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@umkcihd

Acronym Guide:

DD Act: Developmental Disabilities Act

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities

IDDRC: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ResearchCenter

LEND: Leadership Education in NeurodevelopmentalDisabilities

Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/products/

For more information about UMKC-Institute for HumanDevelopment, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

We’re kicking off our new series, Voices of the Network,with none other than Sandy Root-Elledge, Interim Executive Director of AUCD (Association of University Centers onDisabilities).

Sandy brings deep expertise in disability policy, systemschange and advocacy—plus personal insight as a parent of two adult children with disabilities.

From leading the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities to now the national university center organization, AUCD, her work has shaped the landscape of disability services.

In this episode, Sandy helps us understand where UniversityCenters on Disability came from, how they work and why they matter now morethan ever.

Watch this interview on YouTube!

Resources in this episode:

• AUCD Website: www.aucd.org
• Kennedy Center Library: Transcriptof Report to the President- A Proposed Program for National Action to CombatMental Retardation | National Archives
• AUCD Website: AUCD | Annual Report
• Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Billof Rights Act: Public Law 106–402, 106th Congress: Download the Developmental Disabilities Assistance andBill of Rights Act of 2000 (PDF, 356KB)

Acronym Guide:

DD Act: Developmental Disabilities Act

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities

IDDRC: Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities ResearchCenter

LEND: Leadership Education in NeurodevelopmentalDisabilities

Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/products/

For more information about UMKC-Institute for HumanDevelopment, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

In this conversation, George and Amelia chat with Maggie Rollwagen, President and CEO of Abilities First – an organization out of Springfield, Missouri that promotes inclusive opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. Maggie emphasizes the need for community education, advocacy, and the significance of socialconnections for individuals with disabilities – emphasizing the importance of belonging for all people. Through their various programs and funding initiatives, their work has had tremendous impact on the people of Greene County. And they are just getting started!

Resources in this episode:

• Abilities First Website: https://abilitiesfirst.net/
• To learn more about county boards in Missouri, listen to our interview with MACDDS Director Nancy Pennington (Season 2, Episode 5)
• To learn more about service providers, listen to our interview with Starling CEO Erika Leonard (Season 2, Episode 10)

Acronym Guide:

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

SB40 Board: Senate Bill 40 Board

For full video episodes, visit our UMKC-Institute for Human Development YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzGnCTrERWKXFdcufnsXIiA

Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Maggie-Rollwagen-Transcript.pdf

For more information about UMKC-Institute for HumanDevelopment, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Makhaya Malema, avisiting scholar from the University of Western Cape in South Africa, who is visiting UMKC through a university partnership focused on learning about our disability networks. Dr. Malema shares his insights on disability leadership in leisure and recreation, while exploring the powerful concepts of Ubuntu and the disability rights slogan Nothing About Us Without Us. We discuss strategies for reducing exclusions in community spaces and emphasize the importance of including individuals with disabilities in decision-making to ensure true equity. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on disability inclusion and leadership.

Resources in this episode:

• Ubuntu definition: Ubuntu describes a set of closely related Bantu African-origin value systems that emphasize the interconnectedness of individuals with their surrounding societal and physical worlds. "Ubuntu" is sometimes translated as "I am because we are", or "humanity towards others".

• National Council for Persons with Disabilities: https://ncpd.org.za/

• University of Western Cape: https://www.uwc.ac.za/

• To read more of Dr. Malema's research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Makhaya-Malema

Acronym Guide:

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence in DevelopmentalDisabilities

LEND: Leadership Education in NeurodevelopmentalDisabilities

Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/021925-Makhaya-Malema-Transcript-2.pdf

For more information about UMKC-Institute for HumanDevelopment, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

Dr. Amy Hewitt has worked for over 40 years to improvecommunity inclusion and quality of life for children, youth and adults with disabilities and their families. She is the current director of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration. There she conducts research,evaluation, and demonstration projects on community living and belonging for children, youth and adults with disabilities and the direct support workforce.We had the pleasure of having Amy as our Keynote Speaker at our UMKC Institute for Human Development CORE 2024 All Staff Conference in December. This episode was recorded as a live interview at the event in front of an audience, a first in show history! We are so excited to share this interview and can’t wait to do more live episodes in the future.Resources in this episode:

- University of Minnesota, Institute on CommunityIntegration: https://ici.umn.edu/

- SupportWise Project, ICI: https://ici.umn.edu/products/-lbb3o-EQb-BhGAHTFH8Tg

- Reinventing Quality Conference: https://reinventingquality.org/

- Impact Magazine: https://ici.umn.edu/series/14

- ADDM Network: https://www.cdc.gov/autism/addm-network/index.html

Acronym Guide:

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence in DevelopmentalDisabilities

LEND: Leadership Education in NeurodevelopmentalDisabilities

DSP: Direct Support Professional

ADDM: Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Site

Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Amy-Hewitt-Transcript.pdf

For more information about UMKC-Institute for HumanDevelopment, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

In this conversation, Julie Petty shares her journey fromjournalism to becoming a prominent advocate for individuals with disabilities, especially those that have experienced abuse. She discusses the importance of family support, the challenges faced by people with disabilities, and the need for education on healthy relationships, sexual health, and self advocacy. Julie emphasizes the impact of protectionism on individuals and the challenges in reporting abuse. She highlights national awareness efforts and the role of allyship in advocacy, as well as her leadership experience on the President's Committee. The conversation concludes with a focus on future directions in disability advocacy and resources for further engagement.

Resources in this episode:

- Self Advocacy Summit Summary Report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nNRar-wh80

- Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551523277439

- Partners for Inclusive Communities -- UCEDD at University of Arkansas: https://uofapartners.uark.edu/

- Dave Hingsburger - "Prison of Protection" -- Learn more here: https://www.ncedsv.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/The-Ring-of-Safety.pdf

- After Abuse, Resources for Missourians with Disabilities: https://www.afterabusemoguide.com/about-us/

Acronym Guide:

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence in DevelopmentalDisabilities

LEND: Leadership Education in NeurodevelopmentalDisabilities

Interview Transcript:

https://ihd.umkc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ACCESSIBLE-Julie-Petty-Transcript-1.pdf

For more information about UMKC-Institute for HumanDevelopment, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu

In today’s episode, we have Lisa Sutherland on the pod to discuss her work as an attorney with Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services, a non-profit, public interest law firm that works to protect the rights of people with disabilities. Whether it’s helping to navigate inclusion in schools, investigation into abuse and neglect cases, or restoring rights to individuals under guardianship – the advocates at MO P&A provide vital services to people with disabilities in Missouri.

Resources in this episode:

- Missouri Protection & Advocacy Services: www.Moadvocacy.org

Acronym Guide:

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

P&A: Protection and Advocacy

TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury

Interview Transcript:

For more information about UMKC-Institute for Human Development, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ihd.umkc.edu