One Ball State Day 2020

Your donations will make a difference for the Department of Special Education! We prepare students for careers as

• special educators and administrators
• applied behavior analysts 
• deaf educators
• ASL specialists
• curriculum developers.

Your donations help us support a variety of the learning experiences for students beyond the academics - we encourage and offer opportunities to get involved in student and community organizations.

"I learned that all children have the capability to learn if given the right type of education Also to consider the uniqueness of the individual learner."  Thinjewe M.

We are proud of our students and the quality of our alumni. We recruit students to help combat the shortage of teachers in over 70% of the school districts in Indiana. Your donations will support our recruitment efforts and community outreach programs for children with special needs.

"Ball State's Department of Special Education has guided me in my career path by giving me tools, resources, and relationships that set me up for success. I am thankful to have been a part of the program and appreciate the support provided to me, even after graduation!"  Mary L. 

One example of how we ensure that our students and faculty are involved in our community is through the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorder. This center generates innovative, time-efficient, and cost-effective treatments that work, so that people with ASD can reach their full potential. (To give specifically to support this center, choose "Center" in the menu below).

"The Department of Special Education at Ball State University guided and shaped how I approach teaching of all students; regardless of their ability academically, behaviorally, emotionally or cognitively. All students deserve and require specialized education; everyone is an individual needing specially designed instruction!"  Jason S. 

We pride ourselves in providing unique learning opportunities for our students. Our programs utilize cutting edge technologies to equip our students with tools to be successful in the workforce. Our adaptive TEACH Lab, managed by Dr. Penny Craig, provides an opportunity for our students to learn how to incorporate adaptive and assistive technologies into their teaching practices. This lab and its success are sustained by your generous donations that are used to purchase and maintain adaptive software and hardware. (To give specifically to the TEACH Lab, choose "TEACH lab" in the menu below.)

Donations that are give to the "general" account help us to continue to support student scholarships, purchase instructional materials to enhance faculty instruction, support faculty research through special equipment purchases, and support faculty professional development. All of these experiences and activities have allowed our students to continue to carry the legacy of being a graduate of one of the highest-ranked education programs in the state and beyond.

It is with the help of your generous donations that we are able to continue to deliver the highest quality special education programs to our students.

"Not only did I learn valuable content from the unique projects and assignments, but Ball State provides you with numerous immersive opportunities where you are actually hands-on, working with students in the classroom. It is through these immersive learning situations where I truly learned the most because I was able to simulate the real day-to-day life of a special education teacher. The knowledge and assets I obtained from Ball State’s Department of Special Education will prepare me to be an occupational therapist in a school system, where I will provide developmental services to over seventy students in a single week."   Hannah R.