Teaching About Disability in Diversity Classes

This workshop presents practical activities for teaching about disability in class or for homework, particularly in diversity courses. A brief review of foundational research is presented, along with cautions against simulation exercises. An overview of types of activities is given. Three activities will be more fully demonstrated, one of which emphasizes intersectionality. Various methods of assessing learning outcomes are discussed. One outcome measure will be completed by participants to demonstrate strengths and limitations of short-term assessment.

• Explain the main findings of research on explicit and implicit bias towards disability.
• Assign at least one disability awareness activity.
• Utilize one outcome measure.

Rhoda Olkin, PhD