Downing, June

Department of Special Education
Office: ED 2204
Phone: (818) 677-5261
Email: june.downing@csun.edu

Dr. June Downing, Professor earned her Ph.D. in 1984 from the University of Arizona. She has been the Project Director of several federally funded projects to train teachers in the area of severe and multiple disabilities and deaf-blindness. She is currently the Project Director of one such project, SOS. The focus of the past 18 years of personnel preparation has been in the area of inclusive education for students. Dr. Downing has made numerous presentations at local, state, regional, national, and international workshops, in-services and conferences. She is a member of several national/international organizations that represent people who have developmental and sensory disabilities. She is currently on the Executive Board of TASH and is on the Executive Board for the California chapter, CalTASH. Dr. Downing also reviews federal level grant proposals, conference proposals for a number of organizations and is on the editorial board of Augmentative and Alternative Communication. She is an Associate Editor for Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities. She has published several articles, monographs, training modules, and book chapters in her areas of expertise. Her books are entitled Including students with severe and multiple disabilities in typical classes: Practical suggestions for teachers (1st and 2nd editions) and Teaching communication skills to students with severe disabilities (1st and 2nd editions) all published by Paul H. Brookes. Her latest book with Corwin Press is on literacy skills for students with the most significant disabilities. She has received several awards and was named Outstanding Professor at California State University, Northridge for the academic year 2000.