Dr. Judith Gross is the director of the Center on Community Living and Careers (CCLC) with the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University, Bloomington.
Dr. Gross’ research has primarily focused on promoting high expectations for employment of people with disabilities and supporting individuals and their families to access and use available resources and benefits to promote competitive employment and community participation. Gross is author and co-author of numerous journal articles, book chapters, and white papers/reports focused on family-community-school partnerships, employment and community living for people with disabilities, and engaging culturally diverse families in school and, more specifically, the IEP and transition to adulthood processes.
Degrees
- MacMurray College | Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, Magna Cum Laude
- Montana State University-Billings | Master's Degree in Education
- University of Kansas | Doctorate in Special Education with a Dual Focus on Family and Disability Policy and Autism/Behavior Disorders
Personal Statement
I have over 20 years of experience as a special education teacher, direct service provider, advocate, researcher, and technical assistance provider to families and community service providers. Working with families is my passion. I believe that the work we do across stakeholders (people with disabilities and their families, educators, employment services providers, and other community service professionals) is important in ensuring that there is a shared message and expectation for an inclusive life.
Research Interests
- Family support
- Employment
- Expectations
- Inclusion
- Community participation
Publications
- Francis, G. L., Gross, J. M. S., Magiera, L., Schmalzried, J., Monroe-Gulick, A., & Reed, S. (2018). Supporting students with disabilities, families, and professionals to collaborate during the transition to adulthood. International Review of Research in Developmental Disabilities (IRRDD), 54, 71-104. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211609518300046?via%3Dihub
- Francis, G. L., Gross, J. M. S., Lavin, C., Casarez Velazqez, L. A., & Sheets, N. (2018). Hispanic caregiver experiences supporting positive post-school outcomes for young adults with disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 56(5), 337–353.
- Gross, J. M. S., Haines, S. J., Hill, C., Francis, G. L., Blue-Banning, M., & Turnbull, A. (2015). Strong school-community partnerships in inclusive schools are “part of the fabric of the school….We count on them.” School Community Journal, 25(2), 9-34.
- Gross, J. M. S., & Francis, G. L. (2015). Role of expectations and knowledge in transition to employment. In Way leads on to way: Paths to employment for people with intellectual disability (pp.63-84). American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD).
- Gross, J. M. S., Francis, G. L., & Pijem, M. A. (2015). Family employment awareness training (FEAT) in Kansas: Description of a family-focused intervention and the rationale supporting it. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 43, 217–228. Doi.org/10.3233/JVR-150771
Awards and Honors
- Fellow of the Beach Center on Disability, University of Kansas, Department of Special Education | 2005-2010
- Student Award, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) | 2009
- Borchardt Scholar, Beach Center on Disability. University of Kansas, Department of Special Education | 2009-2010
- Fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FAAIDD), Awarded in recognition of meritorious contributions to the field of intellectual disability | 2015
- President and Board Member, Kansas Chapter of APSE: Association of People Supporting Employment First | 2014-2017