Chris Vatland

Dr. Chris Vatland is an Extension Associate at the Yang-Tan Institute on Employment and Disability. He supports the NYS Education Department’s Special Education Technical Assistance Partnership for Data (TAP for Data), a professional development initiative to support specialists within the NYS Office of Special Education Educational Partnership.

Dr. Vatland has three decades experience in the disability field in various capacities from direct-care support to program development and systems work in school and community settings. During that time, he saw a need for improvement in support alignment across service areas and improved implementation of supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This interest is reflected in his published work and in past and current research, development, and technical assistance efforts in the areas of systems change in schools and early education environments, family engagement and support, and individualized intervention in school, home, and community settings.