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Institute for Human Development

Changing the way you experience the world

Access | Attitude | Inclusion

Our Work:

Impacts people at all life stages – individually and socially
Facilitates research and programming to inform change that positively impacts individuals with disabilities

Vision: People with disabilities fully participate in all life experiences.

Mission: Promote full inclusion by advancing attitudes that value persons with disabilities while enhancing access to all aspects of the human experience.

IHD fosters the development of attitudes that promote the increased inclusion of individuals with disabilities in their communities. Attitudes, as barriers to or facilitators of inclusion, go hand-in-hand with access. Access, commonly thought of as access to services and supports, has a much broader meaning: while services are essential for inclusion, access also refers to access to information, education, inclusive physical environments, community participation, friendships, and relationships. Conceptually, access and attitude have reciprocal roles in promoting or inhibiting inclusion.

The toughest barriers faced by people with disabilities are not architectural, they are attitudinal. They are not in the environment, they are in our hearts and in our minds. When people with disabilities are integrated throughout our communities, we are given the opportunity to change our attitudes from ones based on stereotypes, fear, and ignorance, to ones based on admiration, acceptance, and affection… We all gain from the opportunity to experience people with developmental disabilities as friends, as neighbors, as coworkers, as classmates.

Senator Tom Harkin

Explore our degrees

Upcoming Events

IHD Evidence for Success Disability Conference
Tues/Wed June 23-24

Monday 6/22 preconference workshops
Wild Horse Pass Resort, Chandler, AZ
More information on the IHDConference.org

News and Articles of Interest

Third Annual Amplifying Voices of Disability Virtual Day of Learning a Success

On February 26, 2026, the Institute for Human Development hosted its third annual Amplifying Voices of Disability Virtual Day of Learning, bringing together participants from across the country for a day centered on the perspectives and lived experiences of disability activists and self-advocates.

The fully virtual event drew 81 participants from 16 states, with 35% of attendees joining from rural communities. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction, highlighting the value of hearing directly from self-advocates and experts whose personal experiences informed the day’s discussions.

New Course Spotlight: Neurodiversity in Society

This spring, the Institute for Human Development launched a new course, “Neurodiversity in Society,” developed in collaboration with a student with autism and informed by lived experiences and insights from other neurodivergent students, creators, thinkers, and activists.

Neurodiversity is the idea that differences in how people think, learn, andexperience the world, such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dyslexia, are natural variations of the human brain rather than deficits that must be “fixed.” Reflecting this perspective, the course is an innovative addition to Northern Arizona University’s Minor in Disability Studies program and also satisfies general studies requirements, making it accessible to students across a wide range of disciplines.

Digital Safety for All: The Online Privacy and Safety Project

Launched with funding from the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (ADDPC), IHD’s Online Privacy and Safety (OPS) Project equips individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) with the knowledge and skills to protect their privacy, recognize online threats, and engage confidently in digital environments. Central to this mission is a commitment to accessibility, flexibility, and participant-centered learning.

That commitment came vividly to life when a participant with a visual impairment joined an OPS training session remotely via Zoom. As the trainer led an in-person group, they adapted materials on the spot—enhancing verbal descriptions, reading interactive content aloud, and allowing extra time—so the remote participant could fully engage alongside those attending in person. Later, she visited the training venue herself, sharing strategies for navigating digital tools and demonstrating apps like Be My Eyes and Seeing AI, which support her independence. This experience exemplifies OPS’s dedication to inclusion, adaptability, and empowering participants to safely navigate online spaces.

Oakwood Creative Care Opens New Adult Day Club at IHD in Flagstaff

We are thrilled to announce that Oakwood Creative Care has opened its new Flagstaff Adult Day Club at the Institute for Human Development (IHD), located at 912 S Riordan Ranch St, Room 115C, Flagstaff, AZ 86011.

This exciting collaboration brings together the expertise of Oakwood Creative Care and IHD to support older adults and their care partners. The club provides a vibrant and inclusive space that emphasizes connection, creativity, dignity, and purpose.

Enrollment is now open! Community members, healthcare providers, and care partners are invited to explore the enriching daily activities designed for individuals navigating aging and cognitive changes. Members can enjoy engaging experiences such as:

Art and music activities
Cognitive engagement exercises
Movement and wellness programs
Social connection and community-building

The Flagstaff Adult Day Club is dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for growth, enjoyment, and connection for older adults while providing support and respite for their care partners.

For more information, please contact Oakwood Creative Care at (928) 714-7224 or visit the website.

Honoring a Brother’s Legacy: The Mike Baker Fund Supports Inclusive Learning at NAU

IHD is grateful to Pam Ramos and Rudy Ramos for establishing the Mike Baker Fund, a $50,000 gift honoring Pam’s late brother, Mike Baker. Born with Down syndrome, Mike’s life embodied inclusion, community, anddignity, lessons that continue to inspire his family and now support students, faculty, and programs at IHD.

The Fund will provide ongoing resources to advance inclusive learning, research, and community engagement, particularly through the Minor in Disability Studies and other interdisciplinary initiatives.

“We are profoundly grateful for the support of the Mike Baker Fund,” said IHD Executive Director Kelly Roberts. “Through donor generosity, we advance our mission of improving attitudes toward individuals with disabilities while increasing access so that people with disabilities can engage fully in all aspects of the human experience.

Mercy C.A.R.E.S. Grant Supports Regional Autism Diagnostic Training

From January 22–23, pediatric providers from across northern Arizona gathered for a two-day specialized training on administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2). This important training was made possible through generous funding from a Mercy C.A.R.E.S. community reinvestment grant in support of IHD‘s Interdisciplinary Developmental Evaluation Clinic.

ADOS-2 is widely regarded as the “gold standard” for observational assessment of autism spectrum disorder. Participants included pediatricians, psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and board-certified behavior analysts. Graduate students from Northern Arizona University’s combined counseling and school psychology PhD program were also invited to attend, helping build future workforce capacity. The training was conducted by Western Psychological Services (WPS), a nationally recognized leader in psychological assessment and training.

Two New Bridge Briefs

We are pleased to announce the publication of two Institute for Human Development Bridge Briefs.

Lessons Learned from the NAU Minor in Disability Studies Program

This bridge brief highlights the history, impact, and innovations of Northern Arizona University’s undergraduate Minor in Disability Studies (DS) program. The program, housed at IHD, explores disability as a social, cultural, and political experience, emphasizes authentic inclusion, andfosters campus- and community-wide engagement. The article shares key lessons for other institutions seeking to develop inclusive, student-centered programs and celebrates the transformative impact of the DS minor on students, faculty, and the broader community.

Read the DS Minor Bridge Brief.

Lessons Learned from the Interdisciplinary Developmental Evaluation Clinic

This bridge brief highlights over 20 years of work by IHD‘s Interdisciplinary Developmental Evaluation Clinic (IDEC), which provides comprehensive developmental evaluations for children with complex needs, including those in rural and underserved communities like the Navajo Nation. Key insights include reducing the burden on families through same-day evaluations and travel support, embedding cultural awareness and trauma-informed care, and training future professionals through real-world, community-based experiences. The publication shares lessons and strategies that other clinics and service providers can adapt to improve access and quality of care for children and families

Read the IDEC Bridge Brief.

Introducing TVR PATH: A Personalized, Holistic Tool for Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Programs

IHD is proud to announce the launch of  TVR PATH (Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Personalized Approach to Traditional Holistics), a new tool designed to support culturally responsive services within Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation programs.

Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation (TVR) services were established in 1975 to serve American Indians and Alaska Natives with disabilities living on or near federal and state reservations. These programs provide vocational rehabilitation services that help individuals prepare for and obtain meaningful employment while honoring each person’s cultural beliefs, identity, and informed choice. TVR PATH emphasizes a personalized, holistic approach to supporting program participants. It helps TVR staff visualize key elements of the vocational rehabilitation system at the participant, program, and community levels, and understand how these elements interact to support successful outcomes.

IHD Completes Statewide Comprehensive Review and Analysis for ADDPC

In January 2026, IHD completed a Comprehensive Review and Analysis (CRA) for the Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (ADDPC), evaluating the current state of Arizona’s service system for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This statewide study will inform the Council’s upcoming Five-Year Plan andsupport strategic decision-making to enhance services and supports for individuals with I/DD throughout Arizona.

Findings highlight important strengths within Arizona’s I/DD service system, including healthcare coverage, early intervention and educational supports, employment and vocational programs, housing resources, and interagency collaboration. At the same time, the CRA identified persistent gaps andbarriers, particularly in rural and Tribal communities, where transportation challenges, provider shortages, and limited local resources restrict access to timely and appropriate services.

New Resource Available:  Plain Language Concepts to Consider

We’re excited to share a new product designed to support clear, accessible communication: Plain Language Concepts to Consider.

Plain language is a way of presenting information clearly and simply so it is easy to understand, helping to reduce barriers, increase comprehension, andempower individuals with disabilities to make informed decisions about their lives. This easy-to-use, eight-page resource highlights essential strategies and key elements for creating plain language documents, presentations, andproducts. By simplifying complex information, we can ensure that important messages reach and resonate with a wider audience.

As jazz legend Charles Mingus once said: “Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”

We believe that even the most complex topics can, and should, be communicated in ways that are clear, engaging, and accessible to all.

Plain Language Concepts to Consider was developed through a collaborative effort of Arizona Developmental Disabilities Network partners. We extend our sincere thanks to the following individuals and organizations for their contributions:

Lynn Black – Ability 360
Janna Murrell – Encircle Families
Lisa Vallee – Arizona Department of Economic Security
Susan Voirol – Diverse Ability Incorporated
Cindy Beckmann – Institute for Human Development

Together, we can make information more accessible and meaningful for everyone.

Read the Plain Language resource.

IHD in the Community

IHD staff and instructors John Schaffer and Justice Armfield recently presented on their co-teaching experience at the TASH 2025 Conference in Denver, Colorado. Alongside Noah Hayes-McKeirnan, they also led an engaging session for NAU BASEcamp’s Lunch-and-Learn series, connecting with supervisors focused on leadership development. Their presentation explored key topics including ableism, the importance of assuming competence, and the nuances of providing accommodations for both visible and invisible disabilities. Together, these sessions offered practical insights for fostering inclusive leadership and creating more equitable environments for all.

Congratulations to Justice Armfield, co-instructor for the Minor in Disabilities “Intro to Disabilities” course, on receiving a Louie Award for Excellence in Inclusive Education & Advocacy! The Louie Awards recognize the “Unsung Heroes” of the NAU campus: individuals who embody the true spirit of a Lumberjack through their commitment to academic excellence, personal growth, and meaningful community involvement. This award honors those who go above and beyond to foster inclusivity, school pride, and campus engagement. Whether through leadership in student organizations, dedicated service to others, or by inspiring peers with resilience and determination, each nominee exemplifies the perseverance, integrity, and spirit that define Northern Arizona University.

Click here to see past editions of the Institute for Human Development’s News and Updates

Parents, family members, or professionals in the field, do you need information on an AAC Evaluation? Go to the NAU AAC Evaluation Page for program and contact information.