Disability Studies Curricula

Joyojeet PalNew York University Poly and CU

Boulder

Goals A general disability studies curriculum Can be adapted for various levels Primarily intended as on-site, but online

adaptations possible Builds on existing disability studies

programs, primarily North America Objective: Visibility Feedback

Basic Elements History of Disability Medical Model of Disability Social Model of Disability Disability Policy Assistive Technology

History of Disability Religion and disability Medieval and Industrial rev disability Radical movements Disability rights Sports

Medical Models of Disability

Introduction to rehabilitative medicine & therapy

Communication: introduction to elementary sign language, Braille

Injury / Loss of limb / Ortho Mobility

Neuromuscular Communicative / Mobility

Sensory Communicative / Mobility

Psychological / Mental Communicative / Intellectual

Medical conditions v/s functional disabilities

Social Models of Disability Introduction to social models Exercises / Awareness of accessibility and

equity Understanding physical access to spaces

Wheelchair paths, Braille signage, non-audio information, captioning

Recognizing information access Accessible material

Introduction to ‘terminology’ Discussions on media & visibility of

disability

Social Models of Disability Disability across populations

Age: Childhood disability, Ageing Culture: Disability in various regions of India Gender

Disability and employment & social participation

Disability and Art

Disability Policy International policies historically Rise of disability legislation UN Convention Indian laws post 1990s Interpretation and activism in disability

policy

Technology Basic rule: MUST discuss state of art

Because the scope of ability needs discussion AT across the spectrum

Physical Access / Mobility Cognitive support Vision Communication

UDL principles and AT fabrication techniques (free courses online)

Intro to and assessment of accessibility Barriers to AT adoption & AT abandonment

Functional deployment Extensible – lecture series/single-

semester/multi course Trainer-aided model possible

Build on existing Disability Studies curriculum Much material open, available Most social & policy focus on West, but these

helpful in building our own Less AT material online, but many good

Accessibility links

Thanks joyojeet@gmail.com