WHY "LANE OF INQUIRY"?
I am a researcher. I am an academic. But, first and foremost, I am a mother. A mother to four wonderful, amazing boys. Two of them, Conner & Dalton, are deafblind. Their conditions shape their lives - our family's life - everyday.
So, with this site, I have two perspectives to share: both as a parent of children who are deafblind and as a professional. As a parent, I’ve been to countless IEP meetings, advocating for Conner and Dalton’s needs. As a professional, I am a special education family researcher and family support professional. There is a critical need for more research to improve family-professional partnerships that relate to our specific student population; to find ways for families to partner with schools, ensuring the best outcomes for our children.
This site blends my two perspectives. It is a place to ask questions and find answers. To highlight challenges and find solutions. A place to find support, knowledge and hope.
So, with this site, I have two perspectives to share: both as a parent of children who are deafblind and as a professional. As a parent, I’ve been to countless IEP meetings, advocating for Conner and Dalton’s needs. As a professional, I am a special education family researcher and family support professional. There is a critical need for more research to improve family-professional partnerships that relate to our specific student population; to find ways for families to partner with schools, ensuring the best outcomes for our children.
This site blends my two perspectives. It is a place to ask questions and find answers. To highlight challenges and find solutions. A place to find support, knowledge and hope.
The idea for Lane of Inquiry came to me in 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I had time to reflect. I realized it was time to follow my passion - to more intentionally conduct research that could improve outcomes for children who are Deafblind AND to relate that research to my experience as a parent. As a parent, I have always wished there was more research specific to the topics that are of interest to families of Deafblind children. I believe more research can help families better work with their IEP teams. I needed to find a way to disseminate my research to families, in a format that is easy to find and access.
The name "Lane of Inquiry” spoke to me because:
And there you have "Lane of Inquiry."
- Lanya McKittrick
The name "Lane of Inquiry” spoke to me because:
- My friends call me by the nickname, “Lane”.
- In qualitative research, ”Line of Inquiry” is a set of questions you want to try to answer using research.
And there you have "Lane of Inquiry."
- Lanya McKittrick
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Lanya McKittrick, Founder
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Lanya McKittrick is a mom of four sons, including one who has learning disabilities and two who have Usher syndrome, a leading genetic cause of deafblindness. She is an author, public speaker, trainer, and special education and family support consultant.
Twenty years after her oldest son’s diagnosis with Usher syndrome and a long struggle with the special education system, she received her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado. She is now a special education researcher focused on research specific to families of children with low incidence disabilities. She is passionate about making the special education Individualized Education Program (IEP) process more collaborative. Her research, advocacy, and family support work are rooted in her personal experience as a mom. Lane is actively involved in special education parent advocacy and family support. She enjoys helping families like hers by sharing her story in various ways. Check out her personal website for more blogs and information www.lanyamckittrick.com. |
