Disability in Higher Education: A Social Justice Approach - Hardcover

by Nancy J. Evans (Author), Ellen M. Broido (Author), Kirsten R. Brown (Author)

Create campuses inclusive and supportive of disabled students, staff, and faculty

Disability in Higher Education: A Social Justice Approach examines how disability is conceptualized in higher education and ways in which students, faculty, and staff with disabilities are viewed and served on college campuses. Drawing on multiple theoretical frameworks, research, and experience creating inclusive campuses, this text offers a new framework for understanding disability using a social justice lens. Many institutions focus solely on legal access and accommodation, enabling a system of exclusion and oppression. However, using principles of universal design, social justice, and other inclusive practices, campus environments can be transformed into more inclusive and equitable settings for all constituents.

The authors consider the experiences of students, faculty, and staff with disabilities and offer strategies for addressing ableism within a variety of settings, including classrooms, residence halls, admissions and orientation, student organizations, career development, and counseling. They also expand traditional student affairs understandings of disability issues by including chapters on technology, law, theory, and disability services. Using social justice principles, the discussion spans the entire college experience of individuals with disabilities, and avoids any single-issue focus such as physical accessibility or classroom accommodations.

The book will help readers:

• Consider issues in addition to access and accommodation
• Use principles of universal design to benefit students and employees in academic, cocurricular, and employment settings
• Understand how disability interacts with multiple aspects of identity and experience.

Despite their best intentions, college personnel frequently approach disability from the singular perspective of access to the exclusion of other important issues. This book provides strategies for addressing ableism in the assumptions, policies and practices, organizational structures, attitudes, and physical structures of higher education.

Back Jacket

A Revolutionary Approach to Conceptualizing Disability and Creating Campuses that are Inclusive and Supportive of Disabled Students, Staff, and Faculty

"This book should be on the shelf or in the virtual library of every DSS provider in the country. If you put this book in a time capsule, in 100 years the core issues of equity, equality and social justice would be as clear in the future as they are now. This is by far the most spot-on book I have EVER read in this field." --Maria Peña, associate director of the Disability Resource Center, University of Nevada Las Vegas

"I am overall thrilled to see this book being published. The writing is clear and crisp, and the content is timely, relevant, and organized. Framing disability as a social justice issue and demonstrating how that could/should be applied in a higher education environment is really what sets this book apart from others. A great book and one I will definitely use." --Sue Kroeger, associate professor of Practice, Dept. of Disability & Psychoeducational Studies, former Director of Disability Resources, University of Arizona

"This book could positively add to the promotion of social justice for people with disabilities in higher education. The explicit examples and quotations from students were meaningful and emphasized the approaches that are best practices. The book also includes a comprehensive literature review and clear information regarding legal compliance that was straightforward and apolitical." --Stephanie A. Gaddy, Special Education Contributing Faculty, Walden University, The School of Education and Professional Licensure, Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership

Most books on disability in institutional settings approach the subject from a highly theoretical perspective, or they focus narrowly on legal issues. Drawing upon multiple theoretical frameworks, scholarly research, and direct experience, the authors develop a unique, social-justice-based framework that takes into consideration the lived experiences of students, faculty, and staff with disabilities. They offer proven strategies for addressing ableism within a variety of settings, including classrooms, residence halls, admissions and orientation, student organizations, career development, and counseling.

Author Biography

Nancy J. Evans, is a professor in the School of Education and former coordinator of the master's program in student affairs at Iowa State University. She is the coauthor of Student Development in College, Second Edition and Foundations of Student Affairs Practice, both from Jossey-Bass.

Ellen M. Broido, is an associate professor of higher education and student affairs at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.

Kirsten R. Brown, is a student affairs professional at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a part-time faculty member at Madison College.

Autumn K. Wilke, is assistant dean of disability resources at Grinnell College, in Iowa.