Reframing Disability: Implications for Creating Accessible and Inclusive Communities

This training session will analyze how we commonly frame disability in society and examine how these frames influence professional practice. We will discuss language, media and design and the power of each to shape the disability experience. By analyzing existing systems, we will discuss concepts of universal design and identify ways for participants to increase access by removing the barriers that exclude individuals from participation. Finally, we will review the resources available on campus to faculty, staff and students through the Disability Resource Center. The presenter will also facilitate a question and answer period directly following the presentation.

Amanda Kraus, Ph. D., serves as Assistant Director and Director of the Disabled Veterans Reintegration and Education Project at the University of Arizona Disability Resource Center. Dr. Kraus is also adjunct faculty in the Center for the Study of Higher Education, where she instructs graduate courses on Student Development, Student Services, and Disability in Higher Education. Her research focuses on the disability identity in a context of higher education, and the experience of disability for student veterans. Dr. Kraus has presented at numerous national conferences and will be published in New Directions for Student Services (spring/summer 2012) and the Handbook on Veterans in Higher Education (fall 2012).

Learning Outcomes:

  • Frame disability in society and examine how these frames influence professional practice
  • Identify language, media and design and the power of each to shape the disability experience
  • Identify concepts of universal design
  • Identify ways for participants to increase access by removing the barriers that exclude individuals from participation
  • Identify the resources available on campus to faculty, staff, and students through the Disability Resource Center

Target Audience: General Public Health Staff

Duration: ~ 1 hour

Continuing Education Information: None available

Format: Web-based, Self-Study

Created/ Updated: 02/05/2013

Author(s) and Presenter(s): Dr. Amanda Krause, PhD and Dr. David Dawley, MPH

Skill Level: Beginner
Level 1: No
Level 2: No
Level 3: No
Primary Tier: Tier One
Secondary Tier: Tier Two
Tertiary Tier: Tier Three
Primary Domain: Health Equity Skills
Secondary Domain: Communication Skills
Tertiary Domain: Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills