To address the needs of our community, the Center on Disability and Development conducts research on a variety of topics, including education and early intervention, disaster and community living.

• Autism Augmentative and Alternative Communication
• Bridge to Career in Human Services
• Early Literacy Measurement
• Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
• Integrating Vocabulary and Comprehension: IVC Program
• Parent-directed Treatment Project
• Postsecondary Access and Training for Human Services
• Research and Education on Disability and Disaster
• Supporting Teachers in Evidence-based Practices
• Texas AgrAbility

Autism Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Deficits in communication and social interaction are central issues for people with autism spectrum disorder. Recent advances have indicated that intensive interventions and technologies, including augmentative and alternative communication, can help such individuals learn new skills. http://autismaac.tamu.edu/

Bridge to Career in Human Services (B2C)

Bridge to Career in Human Services is a two-semester program offered by the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University. This program provides qualifying students with developmental disabilities access to a post-secondary education program along with special educational supports, which will prepare them for employment in the field of health and human services, specifically to become Direct Support Professionals. http://b2c.tamu.edu/

Early Literacy Measurement (ELM)

Project ELM is working with teachers and using the data from the screening assessment in kindergarten, such as TPRI or DIBELS scores, to identify students who might be good candidates for the project. This project is investigating ways to monitor the reading progress of at-risk kindergarten students. http://elm.tamu.edu/

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP)

Bryan ISD GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a nationwide project focused on improving school completion and college attendance rates for first-generation students, minority students, students with disabilities, and other underrepresented student groups. The project offers resources for students, but also for parents and eduators as well to increase awareness and decision making skills regarding college, careers and life skills. http://gearup.tamu.edu/

Integrating Vocabulary and Comprehension: IVC Program

A Web-Based Program to Improve Vocabulary and Comprehension for 3rd Graders. All lessons are delivered through a secure website. http://cdd.tamu.edu/ivc-program

Parent-directed Treatment Project

Postsecondary Access and Training for Human Services (PATHS)

The PATHS Certificate Program is a program offered at the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University that will prepare graduates to beDirect Support Professionals. This two semester certificate program prepares graduates for employment in a career serving people with disabilities. http://paths.tamu.edu/

Research and Education on Disability and Disaster (REDD) | Contact: Laura Stough, (979) 845-8257
Project REDD was created in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in response to the overwhelming needs of the over 400,000 individuals with disabilities that were displaced to Texas following these disasters.

The mission of Project REDD is to:

1. conduct high-quality research and evaluation on how disasters affect individuals with disabilities and their families, and 
2. provide training and workshops on the topic of disability and disaster for organizations, service providers and at professional conferences.

Project REDD collaborates with other researchers exploring psychological constructs related to the effects of disaster. Project REDD has produced the “Disaster Acronym Guide” and the “Texas Guide to Supports and Services for Individuals with Disabilities and Their Families Affected by Disasters.” Over 10,000 of these guides have been distributed to emergency management personnel, case managers, volunteer organizations, county extension agents and people throughout Texas. Project REDD faculty present at professional organizations and engage in ongoing research on the effects of disaster on individuals with disabilities and their families.  http://redd.tamu.edu/

Supporting Teachers in Evidence-based Practices (STEP)

Project STEP combines community outreach, research, and hands-on learning experiences for TAMU students in an effort to produce positive outcomes for young children placed at risk.  Project STEP provides ongoing professional development and support to Head Start teachers to promote social and emotional development and to decrease challenging behavior in young children. http://cdd.tamu.edu/project-step

Texas AgrAbility | Contact: Cheryl Grenwelge, (979) 845-3727
Connecting, assisting and empowering people in production agriculture.

An estimated 50,000 farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers in the state who have some type of disability. Texas AgrAbility’s focus is on connecting, assisting and empowering agricultural producers, their family members and employees with disabilities and chronic health conditions to stay engaged in production agriculture. This program, initiated in 2009 by Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M University, is part of a nationwide network of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs.

• We provide assistance through individualized consultation and assessment of agricultural work sites and tasks and make recommendations for farm equipment adaptation, home modifications and adaptive equipment.
• We connect farmers, ranchers, their family members and farm workers to the disability community network of professionals and each other.
• We seek to empower through education and resources the self-determination of individuals with disabilities to stay actively engaged in agriculture. 

http://txagrability.tamu.edu/