Integrating Disability Studies into K-12 Education for All Learners

The knowledge and skills I gained in the Disability and Human Development (DHD) program at UIC significantly enhanced my role as an educator and instilled a desire to mentor professionals. I can say with confidence that I am a better teacher, ally for, and advocate with my students and am more informed as a team member. The program provided vital experience in problematizing how we have been conditioned to understand disability and how we can merge theory and practice for vital social change. I received innovative and extensive instruction in disability history, culture, technology, policy, theory, collaboration, research, and leadership. The professors are experts and leaders in the field, yet easily accessible outside the classroom.

Lesson review 

As an educator of learners with labels of developmental disabilities and autism, I continuously seek out innovative ways to address the real-world expectations and situations my students face as a marginalized group in society. I have learned to integrate Disability Studies into their education and have created learning opportunities concerning barrier awareness, accessibility, diversity, language, disability history, advocacy, and empowerment.

In addition to enlightening my classroom curriculum, the DHD Master's Program has proven to be instrumental in my outreach. I now guide others through workshops, consultation, and staff development, to think critically about issues that create or perpetuate, disablement and ableism. Some of my recent work includes: Disability Studies Advocacy and Empowerment; Disability Studies Integrating Positive Representations into Language Arts, Math, and Science; Celebrating Disability, Diverse Approaches and Positive Supports in the Public Library; and Beyond the Miracle Worker, Integrating Disability Studies into the Culture of Schools and Community Agencies. Further, I have presented on Disability Studies and education topics at state and national conferences such as the Illinois American Association on Mental Retardation, the Society for Disability Studies, and the American Educational Research Association.

Lesson review

Presently, I am pursuing an EdD in Special Education through Illinois State University with a focus in curriculum, instruction, and professional development. I am near completion of the Director of Special Education post-master's certification and look forward to incorporating my Disability Studies perspective as a school administrator determined to advance conceptualizations of diversity in schools. Since completing the DHD Master's Program, I have a new perspective to contribute to my involvement in local, state, and national issues regarding students with diverse abilities.

For more information, please contact: Andrea Dinaro ( A.E.R.O. Special Education Cooperative), at andreadinaro@hotmail.com