What is disability studies?
As a highly interdisciplinary field, disability studies investigates the nature, meanings and consequences of disability from social, historical, political and interpersonal perspectives. The undergraduate minor provides students with a broad understanding of the lived experiences of disabled people—including discrimination, advocacy and social movements for disability rights, equal opportunity and community inclusion.
The disability studies undergraduate minor requires 18 credit hours of coursework, including a community-based practicum where students apply academic knowledge and theory to real-world situations. This minor equips students with unique skills and experiences that enhance their preparation for a range of professions and graduate programs.
For more information, please contact program director, Michelle Jarman at mjarman@uwyo.edu or by phone at (307) 766-5060, or visit the WIND office located in the Health Sciences Building, room 147.
- Gain knowledge of critical disability studies and engage in interdisciplinary research.
- Analyze historical and contemporary meanings of disability, including the power dynamics shaping social relations, systems and institutions and modes of representation.
- Understand and evaluate movements for disability rights, processes of advocacy and dynamics of policy making.
- Understand and apply practices of universal design and accessibility in diverse contexts.
What can you do with a minor in Disability Studies?
The minor in disability studies prepares students to critically engage with the social, cultural and experiential context of disability. With a foundation and disability history, representation, policy and accessible practices, students gain practical knowledge and skills that are directly applicable to their chosen fields and professions. Many graduates proceed directly to graduate degree programs, teaching positions or other professions where the specialization in disability studies contributes to their success.
UW disability studies minor graduates have gone into a wide variety of professions:
- Education & Special Education
- Social Work
- Psychology
- Medicine/ Healthcare
- Physical and Occupational Therapy
- Speech Language Pathology
- Journalism/ Humanities
- Business/ Marketing
- Accessibility/ Direct Service
- Sarah Lawrence College
- Pennsylvania State University
- Syracuse University
- University of Colorado Boulder
- University of Wyoming
- University of Utah
Students are required to work with children, families or adults in various school, community or agency settings. This experiential learning opportunity supports the learning goals of the program, focusing on disability rights, self-advocacy, social equity and inclusion.
Many disability studies courses are available at the graduate level and complement graduate degree programs across campus. Contact Dr. Michelle Jarman (mjarman@uwyo.edu) for more information.
"This program has offered an array of valuable courses and information, as well as opportunities. There is always a new event, work opportunity, or course to be taken that greatly benefits disability studies students and the university as a whole."
- 2023 Graduate
