The University of New Hampshire, with the support of the Institute on Disability, offers a variety of programs of study on essential topics related to disability. These programs of study provide a solid foundation for future leaders in fields related to the lives of individuals with disabilities. The IOD has made significant efforts to increase the financial accessibility of many of these programs. Grant funding, full tuition waivers, and generous scholarships are available for a limited number of highly qualified applicants in several programs. Click on any program below to learn more.
Building Futures Together
The goal of the Building Futures Together program is to prepare 98 paraprofessionals in healthcare and school settings to provide specialized enhanced care coordination to children, youth and their caregivers whose parents are impacted by opioid use disorders (OUD) and other substance use disorders (SUD). The program provides an intensive on the job training experience and didactic instruction so that trainees are competent to provide specialized enhanced care coordination to children, adolescents, and transitional-age youth in high need and high demand areas who are at risk for behavioral health disorders and their families.
Disabilities Minor
The minor in disabilities studies will give you the opportunity to explore ways in which you can work with and support people with disabilities and their families, helping them live life to the fullest.This interdisciplinary program will give you an introduction to topics such as exceptionality, assistive technology, and occupation,identity and disability. You’ll be able to select from a wide range of electives to support your particular area of interest.Expand your career options by combining the disabilities minor with majors such as education, occupational therapy, recreation management and policy or social work.
NH-ME Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (NH-ME LEND) Program
The New Hampshire-Maine Leadership in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Program (NH-ME LEND) is a collaboration between the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and the College of Health and Human Services at the University of New Hampshire. NH-ME LEND has provided graduate level interdisciplinary training in maternal and child health/developmental disabilities for students and professionals at UNH since 1993. In 2011, NH-ME LEND began a partnership with the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies/UCEDD at the University of Maine to serve an area that is not currently served by a LEND training program. Through this partnership, NH-ME LEND assists in developing infrastructure and addressing regional needs, particularly in rural underserved regions of Maine. The purpose of NH-ME LEND is to improve the health of children and youth with neurodevelopmental disabilities by preparing leaders to enter the field of maternal and child health. Trainees from a wide variety of professional disciplines engage in 300 hours of training related to interdisciplinary, family-centered, culturally competent systems of care for children and youth with developmental disabilities and their families.
NH Leadership Series
The New Hampshire Leadership Series is a seven-month training session for adults with disabilities, parents or family members of children with disabilities, and LEND Trainees. It is based on the national Partners in Policymaking model. The Series is funded by the NH Department of Education, NH Developmental Disabilities Council, NH Bureau of Developmental Services, NH Area Agencies, many public and private foundations statewide, as well as the Friends of Leadership fundraising events, and donations from NH Leadership graduates. Through the courses, leaders emerge who have a clear vision, knowledge about state-of-the-art supports for individuals with disabilities, and skills necessary for advocating with service providers. They know how to use the legislative process to achieve change, and how to organize communities to support inclusion. The Leadership Series enhances the ability of people and families to change laws, persuade schools and businesses to include individuals with disabilities, and educate communities about the importance of welcoming and including every member.
NH Senior Leadership Series
The goal of the New Hampshire Senior Leadership Series is to develop leadership skills of older adults, caregivers, family members and friends to advocate at both the state and federal levels. Participants will meet five times over eight months and receive intensive training on a wide variety of educational and community topics. The series will take place in Portsmouth, Manchester, Concord and Lebanon.
The New Hampshire Senior Leadership Series:
- Is a wonderful opportunity for growth and learning and a commitment of time and energy for its participants.
- Aims to choose participants with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives.
- Is designed to support the development of leadership skills that will assist participants to effectively engage in positive social change for our aging population.
Special Education (Minor)
In the special education minor,you will engage in a critical examination of disability and study fundamental issues of values, purposes and practices in education systems. The concept of disability has a dual nature. It is an object of protection that recruits efforts and resources to develop all individuals’ abilities, and to ensure their meaningful, full participation in society. Disability has also been a conduit for exclusion and inequity, with long-standing intersections with race, language, class and gender, among others. The minor can be combined with other majors, and provides a pathway to the Education Department's professional graduate preparation programs.
Special Education Teacher Certification in Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
