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Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Matthew T. Wappett, Ph.D.

Wappett, M. T. (2024). Acknowledgments. Developmental Disabilities Network Journal, 4(2), i-iii. https://doi.org/10.59620/2694-1104.1113

Acknowledgments PDF File

The Developmental Disabilities Network Journal (DDNJ) is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal published two times per year by the Institute for Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP), Utah State University, Logan UT 84322-6800, USA. The journal is available online at http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/ddnj.

©2024 Utah State University Institute for Research, Policy & Practice. Material appearing in the DDNJ, unless otherwise noted, is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Under this license, others may distribute, copy, remix, adapt, build upon the material, and redistribute the material in any medium or format, as long as they credit the author for the original creation and follow the other terms of the open-access license. The views expressed in the DDNJ are not necessarily those of the publisher.

  • Editor-in-Chief: Matthew T. Wappett, Ph.D.
  • Managing Editor: Alex Schiwal, Ph.D.
  • Assistant Editor and Copy Editor: Mary Ellen Heiner
  • Assistant Editor: Dave Clark

Editorial Board (Associate Editors):

  • Tawara Goode, Ph.D., Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development
  • Mark Innocenti, Ph.D., Utah State University Institute for Research, Policy & Practice
  • Wendy Parent-Johnson, Ph.D., University of Arizona Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities
  • Marcia Moriarta, Psy.D., University of New Mexico Center for Development and Disability
  • Derek Nord, Ph.D., Indiana University Institute on Disability and Community
  • Randall Owen, Ph.D., University of Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities
  • Christine Pisani, M.S., Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities
  • Jesse Suter, Ph.D., University of Vermont Center on Disability and Community Inclusion
  • Kiriko Takahashi, Ph.D., University of Hawaii at Manoa Center on Disability Studies
  • Lydia Ocasio-Stoutenburg, Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University College of Education
  • Joan Beasley, Ph.D., University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability

Journal Subject Area: The DDNJ publishes high-quality research and evaluation about the multiple systems that serve individuals with disabilities and their families. Central to these systems is the “Developmental Disabilities Network,” a group of federally designated programs in each U.S. state and territory, that provide advocacy, training, research, and service focused on the unique needs of people with disabilities and their families. This journal specifically highlights programs, practices, and policies that encourage the full inclusion of people with disabilities in communities and all aspects of public life.

Advertisements: The DDNJ accepts digital advertisements. For advertising rates and specifications, contact editor.ddnj@usu.edu.

Cover Design: The DDNJ cover and logo were designed by Kelly Smith and Mary Ellen Heiner from the Institute for Research, Policy & Practice at Utah State University.

Acknowledgments

This is our annual open issue of the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal, and this fall’s issue is a collection of diverse and insightful contributions from researchers and authors spanning the United States addressing many different aspects of disability and disability systems. This issue reflects the ongoing commitment of the Developmental Disabilities Network to fostering knowledge exchange and advancing the disability research and advocacy fields through a wide range of perspectives and topics that highlight the diversity of the work occurring today.

Because we only publish two issues of DDNJ per year: one special topics issue and one open issue, many of these authors have waited a long time to see their work in print!  We extend our sincere gratitude to the authors for their valuable contributions and their diligence in meeting our publication deadlines. Your dedication to sharing your research and expertise is essential to the growth and impact of our journal, and we are proud that you have chosen DDNJ as an avenue to share your work.

Although we only publish one “open” issue per year, the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal is always open for submissions for these diverse and engaging editions of the journal. We encourage you to consider sharing your work with our readership and contributing to the ongoing dialogue on critical issues related to developmental disabilities and disability support systems.

We are also excited to announce that our next special issue, focusing on digital accessibility, is currently in progress and is expected to be released in Spring 2025. This special issue will delve into the important intersection of technology and accessibility, exploring the challenges and opportunities for individuals with disabilities in the digital age, and our collective responsibility to make sure that digital content is accessible for everyone.

We express our deepest gratitude to everyone whose contributions made this latest issue of the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal possible. Your collaborative efforts, expertise, and support ensure the continued growth and success of our publication.

First, we extend sincere thanks to the authors who shared their time, knowledge, and research in the articles featured in this issue. Your work advances our understanding of mental health, developmental disabilities, and inclusive systems of care. We feel that the ideas and approaches in this issue have the potential to impact countless individuals, families, and professionals within our communities and schools.

We are deeply grateful to the reviewers who volunteered their expertise. Your meticulous feedback and constructive criticism significantly strengthen the quality and rigor of our published papers, fostering academic excellence. The quality of the articles and the content in the journal is reliant upon the reviewers, and we appreciate everything that our reviewers do to ensure the ongoing quality of this journal.

Our heartfelt appreciation also goes to the dedicated members of our editorial board and staff. Their commitment and professionalism are essential to the journal’s high standards. A special thanks to our Managing Editor, Alex Schiwal; our Copy Editor, Mary Ellen Heiner; and our Assistant Editor, Dave Clark! Their tireless efforts keep the publication process moving smoothly and make this entire enterprise possible.

We are also grateful to the many organizations, including UCEDDs, LENDs, IDDRCs, DD Councils, and P&As that submit their work to DDNJ, and who share this research with their staff and constituents. The DD Network’s commitment to promoting research, advocacy, and collaboration in the field of developmental disabilities has provided a vital platform for the dissemination of knowledge and the exchange of ideas.

Furthermore, we extend our thanks to Utah State University’s Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice and the USU Merrill-Cazier Library whose financial and technical support has enabled us to produce this journal. Your investment in research and education has played a crucial role in advancing the field of developmental disabilities and improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families.

Last, we extend our appreciation to our readers, whose engagement and support have been instrumental in the success of the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal. Your enthusiasm for the journal and its mission inspires us to continue promoting high-quality research and disseminating knowledge to foster positive change in the field. Research needs readers, otherwise, it is just sending words out into the void! We are grateful for your continuous support, contributions, and encouragement.

We acknowledge that this list is not exhaustive, and we apologize for any unintentional omissions. The collective efforts of everyone involved have made this latest issue of the Developmental Disabilities Network Journal a testament to the collaborative spirit and dedication of the developmental disabilities’ community.

If you would like to be a reviewer for DDNJ, we would love to add you to our reviewer board. We are seeking individuals with broad expertise in disability research, policy analysis, participatory action research, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are especially interested in recruiting individuals with developmental disabilities, siblings of individuals with disabilities, and/or parents of children with disabilities as reviewers. If you are interested in joining our review board, please send us a short email describing your areas of expertise and any past review experience. If you have a resume or CV, please attach that to the email. Please send emails to editor.ddnj@usu.edu. You can also call us at 435-797-0836 if you need assistance submitting this information.

Thank you so much for reading and supporting the work of DDNJ! We hope that you find value in this issue, and we are interested in your thoughts and feedback. If there are ways that we can make this publication more accessible or inclusive, we want to hear from you. Please send your comments and feedback to editor.ddnj@usu.edu.

Thank you so much.

Matthew T. Wappett, Ph.D.

DDNJ Editor-in-Chief