Today we are joined by Meghan Burke, a professor of Special Education from Vanderbilt University. Beyond her role as an important educator, Meghan is a widely sought-after lecturer and researcher in advocacy, families and siblings, and disability policy, and she has published well over 130 articles in scholarly journals in her career. In this conversation we dive into how a strong relationship between families and professionals can have a huge impact on individuals with disabilities. As special education teacher, these partnerships led Meghan to develop advocacy programming for families as a researcher, empowering and educating them to navigate the complex landscape of disability services.

Resources in this episode:

• Due Process Complaint Explanation: https://www.missouriparentsact.org/resources/communicating-effectively/due-process-complaint-due-process-hearing/

• Find a Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center near you: https://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/

• Exceptional Lives Book: https://www.amazon.com/Exceptional-Lives-Practice-Progress-Dignity/dp/0134984331

• National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR): https://acl.gov/about-acl/about-national-institute-disability-independent-living-and-rehabilitation-research

• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocr/civilrights/resources/factsheets/504.pdf

• Council of Parent Attorney and Advocates (COPAA): https://www.copaa.org/

• Vanderbilt Kennedy Center UCEDD: https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/ucedd

Acronym Guide:

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Interview Transcript: https://ihd.umkc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/060324-Meghan-Burke-Transcript.pdf

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