Disability Studies & Community Inclusion
Minor
Disability studies and community inclusion minor overview
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 25% of the population lives with a disability and many more experience some for of short-term disability in their lifetime. In the disability studies and community inclusion minor, you'll learn how to create accessible environments that promote inclusion and independence for everyone.
Disability studies is one of the fastest growing academic disciplines in the country. In this program, you'll explore disability advocacy and how to create environments for children and adults to participate in all life experiences. Everyone can benefit from disability education so this minor pairs well with a variety of majors across different fields.
Program Snapshot
Choosing a disability studies minor
By choosing a disability studies minor, you'll learn empathetic approaches for working with people who have disabilities, looking at the challenges they face with their diverse backgrounds and diagnoses in mind.
To understand how biological, psychological and social factors interact and impact a person's well-being, you'll look at disabilities through multiple lenses.
You'll have the opportunity to complete a capstone experience working with individuals with disabilities in Southeast Europe or right here in the United States.
This minor is available to any undergraduate student committed to studying the complex nature of disability and making a difference.
Highlights of the disability studies minor
As a student earning the disability studies and community inclusion minor, you can:
- Pair it with a variety of majors: Disability studies is an excellent choice for students in health professions, special education, therapeutic recreation, human development, family studies, American Sign Language, business, communication, engineering and many other majors.
- Study abroad: You'll have the opportunity to take part in a faculty-led study abroad program offered each summer — RPL 312 Disability in Southeaster Europe — or by completing a capstone project.
- Learn from interdisciplinary experts: Your classes will be taught by faculty from a variety of departments including special education and recreational therapy.
- Experience flexible degree options: Many classes are offered online during the spring, summer and fall semesters.
Creating an inclusive environment on campus
Through CMU's Inclusive Recreation Club, you can gain hands on experience working with adults with disabilities. The group hosts Connections that Count events every other Monday in Finch Fieldhouse. Club members lead adapted recreation activities and interact with adult participants and their CMU student mentors.
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