Dreaming Disability Studies in Higher Education: A Collective Response to Managed Bodies

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: Access for All: Troubling Dis/Ability Barriers in Higher Education

Abstract

This paper provides a collective response to the first time a Disability Studies course was offered at one Institution of Higher Education as an Interdisciplinary Special Topics course. The authors include the professor, a disabled teaching assistant, and students from the undergraduate course majoring in Expressive Arts Therapy, Counseling, or Special Education. We focus on one particular class discussion about sexuality using notes, journal entries and course assignments. The authors provide critical reflection about aspects of the course that seemed productive and as well as its shortcomings. The paper concludes with recommendations to improve the course and ways to infuse Disability Studies into Higher Education.

Authors

• Janet S. Sauer, Lesley University

• Sandy Ho, Lesley University

• Simone Dupont, Lesley University