Disability Symposium

23rd Annual Weingarten Center Disability Symposium

Disability and Identity: Possibilities in Higher Education

Friday, March 14, 2025

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Houston Hall

According to Psychology Today, “Identity encompasses the memories, experiences, relationships, and values that create one’s sense of self. This amalgamation creates a steady sense of who one is over time, even as new facets are developed and incorporated into one’s identity.” 

That simple question, “Who am I?” creates a variety of reactions, but let’s focus on disability and what has been unfolding in higher education since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. A one-person disability office has evolved into an office of ten or more staff members who specialize in addressing accommodations for students to eliminate barriers and obstacles to programs and facilities. One course on the history of the disability movement evolves into a disability studies program. Disability cultural centers represent a space for students to meet with peers and professional staff and develop programming that creates community.

More students, faculty, and staff openly discuss their disabilities as part of their identities. Disability Studies serve as a way for students to learn and discuss disability through an academic lens. Disability cultural centers provide opportunities for students to have a space, to participate in disability programming, and to be part of the movement to educate others about disability issues.

Think about how we celebrate and promote disability identity through our everyday work on university campuses. Submit a proposal that captures your vision of disability and identity in higher education. The due date for submission of proposals is November 15, 2024.

23rd Annual Disability Symposium Save-the-Date for March 14th, 2025
Submit a Proposal

Deep appreciation to Mary Landy C’83 and Joseph Landy W’83 for their generous gift that supports and contributes to the Symposium’s ongoing success.

Previous Disability Symposium (March 2024)

Shared Responsibility and Collaborative Partnerships

Creating an accessible, inclusive environment does not solely rest on the shoulders of a university’s disability staff. It is a shared responsibility for all members of a college/university community to work towards the common goal of creating facilities, programs, and services that are accessible and welcoming for people with disabilities. Reflect upon those occasions when a university employee called your office to inform you that an elevator was not working, or a restroom failed to have a paper towel dispenser at an appropriate height for wheelchair users. It is those moments that you probably wondered, “What are the expectations of a disability office?”  Many times, people assume the disability office does it all when it comes to handling ADA issues. Even though most disability offices go beyond the norm, there are many issues that do not fall under the responsibility or authority of the disability office. Nonetheless, disability offices usually serve as the nexus in bringing people together, to discuss the issue, dissect the challenge, and determine steps to effect change.

Presentation Slides and Materials

Some of our presenters have graciously provided their slides and materials.