LDI Speaker Series: Critical Issues in Learning Differences

This is the second installment of this year's speaker series of the initiative on Learning Differences and the Future of Special Education, where we're bringing national scholars to campus to advance a transformative vision for inclusive education.

This event is hosted by Professor Chris Lemons of the Stanford Graduate School of Education and Faculty Co-Director for the Stanford Down Syndrome Research Center. The focus will be on fostering continued education for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Carly Gilson, associate professor at The Ohio State University, will share research on the benefits of post-secondary college programs for young adults with IDD, followed by a presentation by Gayatri Kini of the Accidental Ally, which provides workforce training and support to young adults.

Dr. Carly Blustein Gilson is an Associate Professor of Special Education in the Department of Educational Studies at The Ohio State University. She received her Ph.D. in special education from Vanderbilt University, with a focus on Severe Disabilities. Her research interests center on equipping adolescents and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for integrated employment and inclusive higher education; supporting individuals and families through the school-to-work transition; and equipping strong educational team collaborations among secondary special education teachers and paraprofessionals. Her scholarship has supported the development of an inclusive postsecondary education program for students with IDD and a professional development workshop series for transition educators focused on job coaching.

with , , and Priya Parameswaran

Gayatri Kini is the Founder and CEO of The Accidental Ally, a social good enterprise dedicated to creating meaningful career pathways for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Driven by the question, “Why are there so few people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the workforce?”, Gayatri hired a group of individuals with Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism into a paid summer internship program to understand what it would take to hire and train this group. This experience sparked the journey to build The Accidental Ally.

Gayatri will be joined by Rohan Bhupatiraju, Maia McQuarrie, and Priya Parameswaran, all of whom are integral to advancing The Accidental Ally's mission. Rohan, known for his optimism, tech-savviness, and exceptional public speaking skills, leads others through his work and breaking barriers for individuals with disabilities. Maia brings her creativity, adaptability, and passion for design and community engagement, contributing innovative ideas to the organization. Priya, a fast learner and engaging public speaker, is preparing to graduate from high school this year and aspires to attend college, embodying the mission of fostering growth and opportunity.

Together, they are transforming the way tech companies employ and empower individuals with disabilities, driven by a vision of inclusion, education, and opportunity.

The Learning Differences Initiative is hosting national scholars who work on questions of inclusive education to advance transformative visions for the field. The lecture series challenges our ideas and intentions for future learning, research, policy initiatives, and community partnerships. Lectures focus on (a) teaching, learning, and life beyond school; (b) policies, institutional alignment, and the workforce; (c) neuroscience, data, and technology; and (d) law, ethics, and cultural contexts for learning in diverse settings, cultures, and public spaces.

We hope the lecture series will offer meaningful, productive engagements of interdisciplinary scholars to advance creative and ambitious visions and research agendas.

Event Hosts and Organizers:

The Learning Differences Initiative

• Christopher J. Lemons, Professor Stanford Graduate School of Education

Accessibility Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible experience for all attendees. Our Accessibility Guide outlines important details about venue access, services, and accommodations, including parking, entrances, restrooms, seating, and wellness/lactation rooms.
Please review the guide for more information, and contact us with any specific accessibility needs or requests by February 27, 2025.

Host or Publisher Stanford Accelerator for Learning