Mission

Our mission is to offer:

• Comprehensive personnel and professional development for students interested in the teaching, learning, and human development of persons with disabilities.
• Undergraduate, graduate and advanced courses to prepare students to meet the learning and behavioral needs of persons with disabilities as special educator.
• Each of the programs within the department is designed to prepare teachers and other interested professionals to appreciate, understand, and build on the unique needs, abilities, behaviors, interests, and talents of the persons with disabilities.
• The faculty of the department of special education believes this understanding is the basis for constructive educational involvement with persons with disabilities, active participation in their lives, and effective social advocacy on their behalf.

Our belief is:

...that persons with disabilities will gain full participation and membership in our society through enhanced prevention and interventions, sophisticated and adaptive technology, and support for their independence in today's world.

The preparation of special educators at Rhode Island College is grounded in the historical, legal, moral, and ethical theories, models, and conceptual developments, which influence and shape the field of special education. We strive to develop educators who collaborate with family and other members of the community to help persons with disabilities to fulfill their potential in school and throughout life.