Joshua Baker

Associate Professor of Special Education
Expertise: Autism, Intellectual Disability

Biography

Josh Baker, an associate professor of special education, joined UNLV's College of Education in 2012. His research focus is on inclusion and accessing the general education curriculum for students with intellectual disability and autism.

Prior to joining UNLV, Baker taught students with autism in West Virgina, and later was a research associate on an Institute of Education Sciences grant at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Since joining UNLV, Baker has worked with a state coalition to improve the post-school outcomes for young adults 18 and up with intellectual disability and autism across the state of Nevada. Baker is the former director of Project F.O.C.U.S. (Forming Occupational and Community Understanding for Success), an inclusive post-secondary education program he started in 2014 to provide inclusive social, academic, and employment support for students with intellectual & developmental disability and autism.

In addition to research and teaching, Baker is active in the intellectual disability and autism community. He has been a member of the Governor's Taskforce on Integrated Employment, as well as the Nevada State Rehabilitation Council. 

Education

  • Ph.D. University of North Carolina at Charlotte
  • M.A. Marshall University
  • B.A. Marshall University

Search For Other Experts On

child development, education (preK-12)

Joshua Baker In The News

K.N.P.R. News
Desert Companion’s December feature "Just like anyone else" (above) profiled a local program that helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities get job training and, in some cases, permanent employment. In it, UNLV Assistant Professor of Special Education Joshua Baker said: “The world is inclusive, so why do we separate them? … At 18, we talk about the least restrictive environment. I argue that’s college. So why do people with intellectual disabilities have to watch their peers go off to college while they’re not allowed?”
K.V.V.U. T.V. Fox 5
UNLV assistant professor Josh Baker began researching ways to raise funds for students with intellectual disabilities and autism to go to college back in 2013. The program is a success. He’s August’s Shining Star.
Las Vegas Review Journal
Bailey Lamonte is ready to start college, something her parents never thought possible.

Articles Featuring Joshua Baker

daughter and father on couch
People | November 21, 2017

Seed money creates stability for program that helps people with intellectual disabilities.

Clayton Rhodes, seated, talks with friends
Campus News | April 24, 2015

New UNLV program helps students with intellectual disabilities gain college experience.