Master of Science in Disability and Human Development

A central value in the identity of the Master of Science in Disability and Human Development (DHD) program is its dedication to the interdisciplinary study of disability with the goal of removing barriers to the advancement of people with disabilities in society. Our students reflect this value. Students come from all over the world to focus on:

Disability Studies and Social Policy The Disability Studies and Social Policy specialization offers opportunities for interdisciplinary scholarship guided by a social model which views disability as deriving from a complex interplay of social, cultural, political, economic, and biological determinants. The focus is on understanding disability phenomena in the context of social practices and cultural values about human differences. This specialization offers students a broad range of content in the study of disability, from coursework that examines disability representations in the the arts, literature, history, and philosophy to coursework that examines the complex legal, regulatory, and programmatic environment in which disability services and supports are provided.

Rehabilitation Technology Rehabilitation Technology is an interdisciplinary field where therapists, engineers, and people with disabilities work together to maximize independence. The Rehabilitation Technology area of concentration enables students to participate in coursework that comprehensively covers the spectrum of devices in the field, and the methods to measure their effectiveness. Elective courses offer the student the opportunity to delve more deeply into specific areas, such as computers, communication, seating, and mobility. Courses are taught by instructors active in service delivery, and traineeships are available to permit significant clinical exposure.

Organizations and Leadership The need for management personnel in non-profit organizations with advanced knowledge of disability policy and skills in administration is significant and growing. The Organizations and Leadership program focuses on middle management personnel, combining training on leadership and organization theory, with practical management skills relevant to the disability non-profit organization, and integrated with interdisciplinary training on theories of disablement, historical and contemporary disability issues, and knowledge of state and national disability programs.

Health Promotion A new and emerging challenge is promoting the health and addressing the health needs of persons with disabilities. Traditionally, health and disability have been viewed as mutually exclusive characteristics; the Health Promotion program views health as multi-dimensional and optimal health as a worthy goal for all persons. The program area prepares students for careers in health promotion and disability, including leadership positions in health and wellness centers that focus on services for persons with disabilities and chronic health conditions.

Disability Ethics Traditional bioethics approaches are challenged when confronted by the complex issues surrounding disability. Study in disability ethics addresses traditional bioethics frameworks within the context of disability studies, thus critiquing and expanding current approaches in ethics practice, research, and conceptual analysis. The area of study prepares individuals to be thoughtful about issues of disability ethics and to serve as resources within their work environment.

As featured in the New York Times and the Chronicle of Higher Education, the Department of Disability and Human Development (DHD) offers the nation's first graduate degree program focused on the interdisciplinary study of disability.

A sampling of recent and current thesis projects illustrate the wonderful diversity of interests and interdisciplinary character of the program:

• A history of the emergence of the disability rights movement in India;
• The ergonomics of accessibility standards;
• An exploration of scientific constructions of disability through the lens of Neurasthenia and Chronic Fatigue;
• Accessibility in the Asian community;
• Analysis of disability policy in the nation of Columbia;
• Augmentative and alternative communication in the school system;
• The epistemologies of eugenics; and
• Satisfaction of persons with disabilities with Medicaid managed care.
  
• Establishing an instrument to assess the need for home modifications to enable community access
• Social enterprise in a nonprofit agency serving people with developmental disabilities: A case study
• Not Deaf enough: Experiences of oral Deaf individuals
• The influence of a support group for young disabled women on members' sense of belonging
• Disability services at universities in Southeast Europe: Achieving equality

Director of Graduate Studies: Glenn T. Fujiura, Ph.D.

For more information on the MS in Disability and Human Development program, please visit the University of Illinois at Chicago's web page where you will find degree requirements, curriculum, and how to apply.

Contact:
Maitha Abogado, Academic Coordinator
Phone: (312) 413-1647
TTY: (312) 413-0453
Email: maitha@uic.edu
Website: http://www.ahs.uic.edu/dhd/academics/ms.php