Part 2 of our LEND Student Showcase continues! George and Amelia hear from two more student teams who are tackling challenges for individuals with disabilities in Missouri through research, advocacy, and partnership-building. Listen and learn from Missouri’s next generation of disability leaders!

Featured Projects:

Charting the Transition

- Examining resources and barriers for young adults transitioning from high school to adulthood.

- Students discuss how data collection and community engagement inform advocacy and system improvements.

Team Members: Katie Hough (social work) Lucy O’Connor (occupational therapy) Becca Waligurski (physical therapy) and Jackson Wiley (self-advocacy)

Show Me the Gaps: Service Deserts in Missouri

- Identifying “service deserts” where critical supports for individuals with disabilities are lacking.

- Students share insights on fostering partnerships and addressing systemic gaps in services.

Highlights:

• Explore how local data can drive advocacy and policy change.

• Learn about the challenges families face in accessing services.

• See how LEND trainees translate research into meaningful community impact.

Team Members: Nick Kanne (psychology) Tandy Korte (developmental behavioral pediatrics) Maddy McCully (speech language pathology) Paula Sims (family advocacy)

Resources in this episode:

- Missouri Association of County Developmental Disability Services (MACDDS): https://macdds.org/

- Learn more about Mizzou’s TIPS for Kids program: https://thompsoncenter.missouri.edu/tips4kids/

Acronym Guide:

MACDDS: Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services

UCEDD: University Center for Excellence Developmental Disabilities

LEND: Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

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

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