# data[].attributes.body
Hi there! My name is Ryan Barfield. I am a junior majoring in speech and hearing sciences, and, in addition to the disability studies minor, I am also minoring in music. As an individual with a disability, it has been a natural community since birth. Since elementary school, I have volunteered for both a dance class and a theater group serving the population. I decided to add the minor because I realized I missed the community and wanted to learn more about the population. I also wanted to learn more about how it connects to my major. In addition, I was a camper and worked the past three summers at a camp for individuals with chronic medical conditions and illnesses. I have learned so much about different conditions through those weeks. A little about me: I love to sing, the beach, and coloring!

# data[].attributes.body
Hi, I'm Lindsey Price. I am majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences. I am a Junior. I want to minor in disability studies because I plan on working as a speech therapist in the school system, focusing on students with disabilities. My younger brother, Alex, is autistic, level 2, and low verbal. So, he is part of the reason why I am interested in this minor. When I am not at college, I like to go on long walks in state parks and on trails and listen to audiobooks. I also enjoy playing with my cats.

# data[].attributes.body
Hello! My name is Emily Reed and I am a sophomore majoring in Music Education, with my primary instrument as upright bass. Going into music education, my plan was always to teach adaptive music. I became interested in this field after working with a local theatre company in my area called Arts Inclusion Company, which aims to give children with disabilities a chance to perform in musicals. Outside of classes I am a camp counselor for a junior lifeguard camp, and I love journaling!

# data[].attributes.body
Hi! My name is Lillian Wood. I am a rising senior majoring in Speech & Hearing Sciences with a minor in disability studies. I want to become a Speech-Language Pathologist and work with pediatrics. I am interested in this minor to understand what my future patients will be like. I plan to apply the knowledge from this course to my profession to provide the best care for my future patients. Something about myself that is not academically related is that I am a proud dog mom to my four-year-old pup, Rocky. He loves being a college pup and has helped the transition from home to college so much better!!

# data[].attributes.body
Hi everyone! My name is Abby and I am a senior majoring in Criminal Justice. After working in a summer school for children with developmental delays last year, I discovered my passion for working with children with disabilities, and decided to add the Disability Studies minor the following semester. I had the privilege of working at the same program this past summer, and have fallen even more in love with disability studies and early childhood special education. This semester I have an internship with TEDI BEAR Children's Advocacy Center and am looking forward to continuing to explore my interests in child advocacy. Outside of school I enjoy reading, going on long walks, and hanging out with my friends!

# data[].attributes.body
Hi everyone! My name is Reagan Webb. I am majoring in speech and hearing sciences. I wanted to add a disability studies minor because I felt like it would be beneficial when working with kids and adults as a speech pathologist later down the road. I was also in a program where I spent time with children with disabilities in high-school and I loved it. I love traveling, reading and hanging out with my friends in my free time!

# data[].attributes.body
Hi everyone! My name is Kate Fendrick and I am a senior Speech and Hearing Sciences major! After taking my first SPED class, I decided to add a Disability Studies minor because it will help me to become a better speech language pathologist and equip me to treat patients with special needs. One fun fact about me is that I love to sing and play piano in my free time. I am excited to get to know you all!

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Hi everyone! My name is Allison Sawyer. I am a second-year speech and hearing sciences major, minoring in Disability Studies. I want to be a school-based SLP specializing with children with special needs! I have always had such a huge love for people, but especially people with special needs! I am super excited for this course! In my free time i enjoy spending time with my friends and family, shopping, and going to the beach!

# data[].attributes.body
Hi everyone! My name is Dixie! I’m an Elementary Education major, and I chose to minor in Disability Studies because I want to learn more about how I can support students with different needs. As a future teacher, I want all of my students to feel included and supported in my classroom.

Outside of school, I love spending time with my friends and family, working with kids at an afterschool program called Versademics, and hanging out with my dog, Earl!

# data[].attributes.body
Hey Yall! My name is Allison Heard. I am majoring in psychology. I have always had a passion for people with special needs. I worked with kids in high school with kids with disabities. It was called PEPI, and it was a PE class for them. I want to become a travel occupational therapist and work closely with kids overseas who do not get the help they need. I worked mostly with kids with Down syndrome which is something I really enjoy and want to do more of. Outside of school, I really enjoy shopping, traveling, and hanging out with friends. I can't wait to learn more this semester!

# data[].attributes.body
Hi! My name is Ava DePinto I am majoring in Psychology. I have always had a passion for people with special needs. My mom was a special needs teacher for over 15 years! in high school I was in a club called Project unify for 4 years, and I had the opportunity to work with kids with special needs, non-verbal, and unable to walk. Outside of school I really enjoy hanging out with friends and meeting new people!

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Melissa Scire and I will be your instructor this semester for Issues, Trends, and Laws in Disability. I have been an Exceptional Children's teacher for 28 years working at all levels: elementary, middle, high school, and community college. I graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a bachelor's degree in K-12 Mild to Moderate Mental Handicaps in Special Education. Soon after graduation, I earned my National Board for Professional Teachers, and later I added Specific Learning Disabilities and Secondary English to my teaching license. I completed my graduate studies here at East Carolina University with a concentration in Learning Disabilities.

I am excited to share my knowledge with you and help you on your journey. I am a passionate teacher who advocates for change daily in my school and community. I am married and have two daughters, Lucia and Lila, who recently earned their degrees; Lucia in Occupational Therapy, and Lila in Exercise Science. Lucia just had twin boys, Luke and Noah, so I am a grandma now and loving it! I have three dogs, who are just like three additional children, ages 6 (Mack), 7 (Luna), and 8 (Buddy). In my free time, I enjoy hiking, reading, and exercising with my family.

I am really looking forward to connecting with you this semester. Please feel free to reach out at any time.