Date Approved
4-21-2025
Graduate Degree Type
Project
Degree Name
Social Innovation (M.A.)
Degree Program
School of Community Leadership & Development
First Advisor
Dr. Julia Snider
Second Advisor
Dr. Azfar Hussain
Third Advisor
Dr. Neal Buckwalter
Academic Year
2024/2025
Abstract
Disability research is not solely relevant to those who experience disability every day; it carries broader implications for access and inclusion across all facets of society, including education. This conceptual content analysis explores the representation of disability culture within graduate-level programs in disability-related studies offered by three Michigan-based institutions. By analyzing the publicly available information on websites, the study seeks to examine the extent to which disability cultures are integrated into the academic framework of these programs. Through a systematic review of these texts, we identify key concepts related to disability culture, such as social constructs, advocacy, and intersectionality, and assess how these are reflected in program structures. The study's findings provide insight into how disability culture is framed, emphasized, and understood in higher education settings. This analysis also explores the implications of such representation for graduate-level students, their understanding of disability, and their preparation to engage with disability, advocacy, and professional contexts.
ScholarWorks Citation
Torres Leon, Dalia, "Disability Culture in Higher Education (or the Lack Thereof)" (2025). Culminating Experience Projects. 557.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/gradprojects/557
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