Miscellaneous
In this episode Tatiana Perilla from the MHDD-NTC has a conversation with Mark Smith, from the Munroe-Myer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He shares his path to his current professional role and many of the things he has learned in his career. Full transcripts of this interview are available in English and Spanish. BIO: Mark A. Smith first and foremost is the sibling to and parent of family members with disabilities. He received his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 1989 and his M.S. in School Psychology from the University of Nebraska in 1995. Prior to joining the Nebraska University Center on Disabilities at the Munroe-Meyer Institute as an Assistant Professor in 2003, Mark served as School Psychologist in local school districts and as a Behavioral Therapist with disability providers and private clinics. Mark’s primary area of interests to date have included early childhood services, Special Education, Family Support, leadership, and Disability Policy and Legislation at the local and national levels. Over the past 45 years of working in disability services, Mark has been involved in directing and evaluating several projects designed to improve community resources and services for individuals with disabilities and their families, including relocating individuals from institutional to community care. He has also been involved in writing, teaching, and developing and providing training on a wide variety of disability related issues and has engaged in policy analysis and development at the state and national level as a member of the AUCD and DEC Policy Committees and Executive Boards. His research interests include systemic change initiatives designed to promote community inclusive practices in support of individuals with disabilities and their families, general disability policy and programming, community planning for inclusion and accessibility for individuals with disabilities who are members of marginalized groups. Mark and his family live in Omaha, Nebraska and enjoy cycling, going for long walks with their dogs, and playing music. Links:English transcriptSpanish transcriptMark's profile and contact informationMHDD National Training Center *Music Credit: Music for our podcast is licensed from Marmoset Music. Artist: Johnny Clay; Song "Looking Down the Road"