Sean J. Smith, Ph.D.

Dr. Sean J. Smith is a Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Kansas. He is also the Past President of the technology division for the Council for Exceptional Children, Innovations in Special Education Technology (ISET), and President of the National Down Syndrome Congress. Dr. Smith’s research interests focus on innovations and technology solutions to support struggling learners and those with disabilities, particularly interventions aligned with the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. At present, Dr. Smith is the principal investigator on a federally funded project exploring the impact of virtual reality on struggling learners in the area of social-emotional development. He has authored over 200 books and articles, given hundreds of scholarly presentations both nationally and internationally, and serves on various boards for journals, organizations, and parent groups focused on enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities. Dr. Smith, with a variety of collaborators, has received and managed over $30 million of external research and development funds. Most importantly, he is the father of four children, one having Down syndrome. It is through this work as a father that he has sought to apply his knowledge of effective practices with parents, family members, and similar stakeholders as we look to enhance the lives of our children, ALL of our children!