Disability studies refers to a unique major. It provides academic space to explore important questions and challenges that people with disabilities experience every day. These degree programs explore how disability has been defined throughout history and in different cultures. Physical impairment has been a constant experience for many people throughout history. However, the different interpretations of the construction of impairment as a generic social category is a new social invention. Students will focus on
issues that challenge people with disabilities every day:
- social
- cultural
- political
Disability Studies Programs
Disability studies explore the social ideologies and cultural systems that have shaped the meaning and experience of disability. The definition of disability has been redefined throughout history. It has also been culturally represented and socially controlled in extremely different ways through:
- public laws
- policies
- professional practices
Disability studies explores how disability professionals can best meet the challenges. It also explores how they can help alleviate the problems of those with disability and impairments.
Students will learn to:
- define problems
- evaluate solutions
- critique social ideologies, cultural values and societal arrangements
Graduates will be prepared to represent people with disabilities and advocate for better:
- public policies
- support
- professional standards
Students will be ready to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities related to:
- gender identity
- racial discrimination
- sexual orientation
- religion and spirituality
Disability studies students will learn how disability gives unique meaning to life. These programs draw insight from interdepartmental courses ranging from English to occupational therapy to applied sociology.
The Benefits of a Disability Studies Degree
Disability studies degree programs show students that disability is an integral part of the social diversity. These programs usually focus on the concept of universal access. This is the philosophy that society must be inclusive of all people’s:
- abilities
- traits
- backgrounds
Universal access, or UA, embraces a holistic attitude that respectful and responsible societies accommodate minorities regardless of their typical appearance or atypical characteristics.
Disability studies degree programs explore social attitudes, social policies and reactions that contribute to people with disabilities:
- being denied their civil rights
- oppressed by groups
- openly discriminated against
Students learn that the responsibility for diversity transcends traditional:
- social values
- cultural attitudes
- identity-based characteristics
The primary principles that guide these programs include the concept of inter-sectionality, which means that disability and non-disability labels are just one of many characteristic humans exhibit. Disability studies programs raise the students’ awareness of critical diversity theories and frameworks. These are social constructions, such as laws and policies, that establish contexts through with individuals and groups are either advantaged or disadvantaged.
Related Resource: 20 Best Deals on Colleges for Disability Studies
Many disability studies programs offer students internships or work in a practicum. For example, students may:
- take jobs as counselors in residential outdoor camps
- job shadow disability advocates and investigators at Aging Services departments
- volunteer at Department of Human Health and Services agencies
Students who want to work in the field of health care or gerontology should consider earning a disability studies minor that will complement their science courses.