All disabled people have the right to education on an equal basis with others, including access to higher education and lifelong learning, as affirmed by Article 24 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This page centers disabled people's expertise and highlights programs that use social and rights-based frameworks.
This page describes academic programs, training opportunities, and educational pathways focused on disability studies, inclusive research, and related fields. It aims to help students, researchers, and community organizers find education relevant to disability justice and inclusive scholarship.
Academic and training programs can:
Bachelor's degrees in Disability Studies provide foundational understanding of disability as a social, cultural, and political phenomenon. Students examine disability history, theory, policy, and lived experience.
Graduates pursue careers in:
Master's and doctoral programs offer advanced study in disability theory, research methods, policy analysis, and specialized areas like inclusive education, rehabilitation sciences, or disability law.
Career paths include:
Shorter certificate programs provide focused training in specific areas:
Organizations of disabled people and advocacy groups offer training outside traditional academic settings:
Not all disability-focused programs take the same approach. Consider:
CUNY School of Professional Studies: BA in Disability Studies — first undergraduate program of its kind in the U.S., fully online
University of Oregon: Disability Studies Minor — interdisciplinary minor exploring disability as human experience
Syracuse University: Disability Studies programs at master's and doctoral levels, with strong social model orientation
University of Illinois Chicago: PhD in Disability Studies — interdisciplinary doctoral program
University of Washington: Disability Studies programs including undergraduate major, minor, and graduate certificate
Georgetown University: Disability Studies minor and graduate certificate, with new major launching 2025
University of Leeds (UK): Centre for Disability Studies — research and teaching with strong social model foundation
York University (Canada): Critical Disability Studies graduate programs
Stellenbosch University (South Africa): Disability Studies programmes in African context
Many programs offer online options, expanding access for disabled students and working professionals:
This page centers disabled people's expertise and highlights programs that use social and rights-based frameworks. For questions or to suggest additions, see How to Contribute.