Turnbull Disability Policy and Advocacy
The Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies convened a symposium series in January 2018 in follow-up to the 2017 “Starting Ahead. Staying Ahead.” Early Childhood National Summit.
In concert with the School of Special Education, School Psychology, and Early Childhood Studies, Rud and Ann Turnbull, co-founders of the Beach Center on Disability at the University of Kansas, led the inaugural symposium with a day of discussion, collaboration and identification of action around core concepts in disability and early childhood policy and family partnerships.
Rud Turnbull led a presentation and discussion on core concepts in disability and early childhood policy and law – with an emphasis on equity and equality.
Ann Turnbull followed on the topic of how to move from family engagement to family partnerships in the early childhood years and beyond.
About 80 students, faculty, scholars and champions in early childhood and disability policy and advocacy, and families attended.
Rud Turnbull
Rud Turnbull is the Marianna and Ross Beach Distinguished Professor Emeritus in Special Education at the University of Kansas’ Department of Special Education. He received his J.D. from the University of Maryland and an Ll.M. from Harvard Law School.
He co-founded and co-directed the Beach Center on Disability. Professor Turnbull’s research interests focus on policy analysis of a range of disability-related issues that tie to our nation’s top policy agendas for individuals with disabilities and their families – full participation, independent living, economic self-sufficiency and equality of opportunity.
Along with Dr. Ann Turnbull, he was identified as one of 36 individuals who have “changed the course of history for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the 20th century.”
Professor Turnbull has received leadership awards from more than eight national disability organizations.
Academic Degrees
- LI.M., Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1969
- LI.B/J.D., The University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, 1964
- B.A., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, 1959
Specializations
- Special education law, disability law and public policy analysis
Ann Turnbull
Dr. Ann Turnbull is the Marianna and Ross Beach Distinguished Professor Emerita in Special Education at the University of Kansas’ Department of Special Education.
She co-founded and co-directed the Beach Center on Disability. Dr. Turnbull’s research focuses on family support, family-professional partnerships and community inclusion for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan.
Along with Rud Turnbull, she was identified as one of 36 individuals who have “changed the course of history for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the 20th century.”
She was a recipient of the 2016 Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy International Leadership Award.
Academic Degrees
- Ed.D., Special Education (Mental Retardation), University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 1972
- M.Ed., Special Education, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, 1971
- B.S.Ed., Special Education, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, 1968
Specializations
- Family quality of life, family-professional partnerships, community inclusion and knowledge translation
Resources
Presentation Videos
- Disability Policy and Advocacy Symposium Promo
- Rud Turnbull – The Core Concepts of Disability Policy, Organizing Principles and the Principle of Dignity
- Ann Turnbull – Beyond Family Engagement to Trusting Family-Professional Partnerships: Positive Outcomes for All
- Ann and Rud Turnbull – Precepts Beyond Policy and Partnerships
Presentation Slides
- Rud Turnbull – The Core Concepts of Disability Policy, Organizing Principles and the Principle of Dignity
- Ann Turnbull – Beyond Family Engagement to Trusting Family-Professional Partnerships: Positive Outcomes for All
- Ann and Rud Turnbull – Precepts Beyond Policy and Partnerships
Next Steps