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. 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. |
Learn more about Lane's story and how Lane of Inquiry came to be:
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The idea for this non profit organization 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
Board of Directors
Lanya McKittrick, Founder
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Lanya (Lane) McKittrick is the Chair of the Board of the Usher Syndrome Coalition, founder of the Hear See Hope Foundation, and deafblind education researcher and founder of Lane of Inquiry. Lane received her PhD in Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado, where she is an adjunct instructor in special education. Her research, advocacy and family support work are rooted in her personal experience as a mom to four sons, including two who have Usher Syndrome, the leading genetic cause of deafblindness.
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Amanda Dill, LMSW, Member
Of all the roles and responsibilities she has, the most important and valuable to Amanda is being a mom. She has 3 children, 2 of whom have Usher Syndrome type 1b. She is a School Social Worker, which means her life is spent working in special education, both professionally and at home. She is a member of the Michigan Association of School Workers and the School Social Workers Association of America and serves on the Special Education Advisory Committee for the Michigan Department of Education.
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Conner McKittrick, Member
Conner McKittrick is a senior at Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy. After graduation he plans to attend graduate school to continue his education in disability law and policy. Since a young age, Conner has been an advocate for individuals who are deafblind. In 2016 he was named Young Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. When asked about success, Conner states:
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About Hear, See, Hope
Lane of Inquiry is a partner organization of the Hear, See, Hope Foundation (HSHF). The mission of HSHF is to help find a cure for Usher Syndrome, the most common cause of deafblindness in the U.S.
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