Iris Barker

Iris Barker is the proud mom of three children. Iris became a strong advocate for families of children with disabilities soon after her daughter was born with Down syndrome. Her daughter is a participant in the SDP program and this has allowed Iris to understand first hand the support a family needs to transition into SDP successfully. She has completed several independent facilitator trainings including from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disabilities Voices United, and an advanced independent facilitator training from the Guidelight Group. She currently has clients in 15 regional centers and is excited to work with anyone that might need her help. As a family of color, Iris is especially interested in making sure families of underrepresented minorities are served and supported in a way that makes sense for them.

She lives with her husband and her three children in La Mirada, CA and besides being an independent facilitator, she is the community liaison at Club 21, a learning and resource center that envisions a life and a society enriched by the inclusion of individuals with Down syndrome. She works part-time for Undivided, an organization that helps families of individuals with disabilities navigate the different systems they are faced with. Finally, she is the treasurer for Include CA an organization that aims to educate the public and decision-makers about inclusive education, particularly for individuals with intellectual disabilities.