Kristine Neuber Portfolio

Goals

My goals statement has changed considerably from the time I first entered the program. My journey began in the Spring Semester of 2002.  In 2003 I left the program to reflect on my direction and priorities in life.

In September of 2004 I joined a team from Habitat for Humanity International bound for Botswana.  This trip changed the way I viewed my life and reaffirmed my commitment to completing the Ph.D. program, but with a different focus; disability policy. I re-entered the program in the Spring Semester of 2005. This change in focus explains the drastic difference in the original goals statement I submitted when I entered the program and my current goals statement explained below.

Current Goals

I strive to effect positive change in the lives of individuals with disabilities. In a modest way, I have done this in my professional life as a special education teacher and now as an assistive technology specialist. I view my jouney through the Ph.D program as an opportunity to develop skills that will allow me to effect change on a larger scale and take a more active role in policy. I have two main goals in this area.

(1) To gain skills and experiences that will help me lead disability policy at the institutional level.

I have spent the last eight years working with the Office of Equity and Diversity Services and the Kellar Institute for Human disabilities to implement policies and practices related to assistive technology and web accessibility. Much of the work has resulted in programs that appear to be effective. Through my coursework, professional and reasearch activities I hope to learn how to effectively evaluate policies and determine what components make them successful.

(2) Gain skills, knowledge and experience to consult on disability policy at the governmental level

I am motivated to effect policy at the government level. The policies implemented at the institutional level are guided by those developed at the governmental level. I would like to continue to develop my understanding of policy development at the governmental level, how it is influenced and what factors make policies effective. The ultimate goal would be to develop knowledge that could help legislators avoid the development of ineffective policy.