Laura Benjamin is a rising third-year law student at the University of Baltimore School of Law. She earned her undergraduate degree in political science and history from the State University of New York at Geneseo. Benjamin entered law school knowing that she wanted to pursue education law, but after her 2023 summer internship under the education attorney at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender’s juvenile protection division, she discovered her passion for special education advocacy. After graduating from law school Benjamin plans to work in special education advocacy. During her time at Project HEAL (Health, Education, Advocacy, and Law), Benjamin hopes to learn about advocating for students with disabilities and become a more well-rounded advocate.
Isabella Long, from Burtonsville, Maryland, is a rising senior attending American University’s three-year Public Health Scholars Program. Currently a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health Scholar, she is spending her summer researching autism services at Kennedy Krieger Institute and supporting low-income families in need of special education representation with Project HEAL. Long specializes in health policy and economics, having conducted award-winning research on interactions between individuals with mental disabilities and law enforcement, as well as Medicaid expansion for undocumented immigrants. With over eight years of experience as a disability advocate, Long is dedicated to disability justice and intersectionality. As president of her university’s Disabled Student Union, she has organized events to empower students with disabilities in education and the workforce. Her international experiences have inspired her to pursue a legal career focused on defending individuals with disabilities through human rights protections. During her time at Kennedy Krieger, she hopes to build meaningful connections and further develop her advocacy skills.
Alter Schnur is a rising third-year law student at the University of Baltimore School of Law. With a strong commitment to helping others, he enrolled in law school with the aspiration of making a positive impact in his community. Project HEAL provides him with a valuable opportunity to learn about special education law, allowing him to gain essential skills and knowledge. This experience undoubtedly enables him to continue his mission of helping others in the future.
MCDD 2024 Annual Learning Series
The Community and Professional Development Training Program offered by the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities (MCDD) at Kennedy Krieger Institute is committed to providing evidence-based training across a broad spectrum of topics to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families. MCDD’s 2024 Annual Learning Series runs from April to October. The series consists of three-hour continuing education virtual and in-person workshops with interdisciplinary topics focused on working with individuals with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities and their families.
Four workshops from the series remain open for registration:
- July 18: “Hot Topics: Informal School Removals and How Those Working with Students with Disabilities Can Respond”
- July 24: “Neurodiversity in the Workplace: Practical and Ethical Considerations for Neurodiversity Inclusion in Organizations”
- Sept. 12: “Social Justice and Promoting Positive Mental Health Outcomes for Black Youth: How School, Home and Community Members Can Help”
- Oct. 10: “Sexual Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: How Providers Can Help”
For more information about our Annual Learning Series, visit our website. Please click here to view the entire course catalog. To request accommodations or assistance for individuals with disabilities, please call 443-923-4114 or 443-923-9555 or email Training.MCDD@KennedyKrieger.org.