Exploring Disability Studies: Fostering a Better Understanding of the Disability Community

What this episode covers

As we continue to bring awareness to the Bloustein School's new Disability Studies minor, dean Stuart Shapiro talks to Professor Cynthia Simon, who is teaching the inaugural course for the minor this semester. Growing up as a child with a disability, Simon shares how her early studies about the civil rights movement piqued her interest in political science and law and eventually led to teaching disability studies. She talks about the importance of including people with disabilities in the discussions of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The conversation also touches on the evolution of language used to describe disabilities and the distinction between access and inclusion. Simon's goal is to educate students about disability civil rights policies and foster an understanding of the diverse experiences within the disability community. We also recently sat down to talk more with Simon about her path to disability advocacy and education -- you can read more here.

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