Emefa Surprize Deborah Buaka is a Ph.D. candidate in Applied Economics at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her research focuses on the intellectual & developmental disability (IDD) community. Specifically, Emefa explores the effectiveness & accessibility of the Medicaid-funded Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Innovations Waiver for adults with IDD, alongside the intricate interplay of individual, environmental, & systemic factors influencing this community. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Economics from UNCG & a Master’s degree in Economics from Central Michigan University. She completed her undergraduate studies with honors at the University of Ghana, where she earned a B.A. in Economics.