Disability Studies Major
Also available as a minor
The disability studies degree program blends theory and firsthand experience to offer students a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the growing disabled population.
The program was designed with an interdisciplinary approach that reflects the truth that disabilities are woven into every aspect of society. Roanoke College is at the forefront of that movement with the establishment of a disability studies major in Virginia.
Through classwork, research and innovative, experiential learning, students in the disability studies major will learn to be better advocates who can break down not just physical barriers, but cultural barriers to equal access.
Disability Studies Major Curriculum
Sample Disability Studies Courses:
American Disability Perspectives
Methods in Disability Studies
Nothing About Us Without US
Student Experiences
A Project Based in Personal Experience
In the lab, Allyson Herriges is searching for clues to a mystery that still perplexes scientists. Using genetic analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction technology, she’s examining how prenatal drugs affect autism risk genes and neural development in the embryos of zebra fish.
The project, which she designed in consultation with her professors, is part of a larger question with a deeply personal significance: Can we detect autism earlier and help parents better understand their child's diagnosis?
“My son is autistic,” Herriges says. “His diagnosis is why I started studying this. I want to help parents understand their children and what their children’s diagnoses mean. There is still so much we don’t know about these conditions.” Read more
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Julia Bassett ’25, a Roanoke College student who is earning a degree in health and exercise science with a disability studies concentration, set out to brainstorm opportunities that would bring a rewarding and inclusive experience to the community. She worked with Frances McCutcheon, co-coordinator of Roanoke College’s Disabilities Studies Program, to build a program that provides adaptive sports opportunities and activities for kids and adults with disabilities.
In May 2023, MAPLE’S Kids was born. MAPLE’S Kids stands for Multiple Adaptive Play Experience in Sports with Maple – President Frank Shushok’s family dog – serving as the program ambassador.
“It is truly inspiring to see individuals do something they might not have thought they could do and to see parents and siblings watch their family members light up while playing sports,” said Bassett, a captain on the women’s tennis team.
“It's been incredible to work with the professors in the disability studies concentration. They’ve given me so many new perspectives about life and advocating for people with disabilities. They’ve also given me a lot of opportunities for field experience.”
Hope Keller, health and exercise science major with a concentration in disability studies, president of the Toy Like Me student club
Advocate for Change
Olivia Brichter’s heard it all before. That her epilepsy means she has to scale back her ambitions. That her ADHD means she won’t thrive in the rigorous world of research. That her disabilities will define and control her.
She’s heard it — and she knows nothing could be further from the truth.
“It’s hurtful and disturbing when people try to tell you that,” she says. “But it’s also what fueled my fire. I have this determination in me to prove to the world that I can do the things that other, neurotypical people can.” Read more
Engaged Learning
Disability May Term Course
Roanoke offers an intensive learning term course that is designed to challenge students to understand and appreciate the challenges and abilities of disabled individuals.
Advocating for veterans
Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to join the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) at the legislation and advocacy seminar in Washington D.C. Along with two fellow students from Roanoke College, we were able to learn about the key pieces of legislation that the PVA is advocating for. Meeting congressional representatives and staffers was an especially unique experience for me as a student and helped me understand how important groups like the PVA are in advocating for the passing of important legislation.
One of the most impactful things I realized during my time with PVA was that political advocacy is for everyone; not just for those with political science backgrounds. Even as a health and exercise science student, I found great value in immersing myself in the legislative advocacy world. Without the hospitality and generosity of the PVA, this type of experience wouldn’t have been possible for a student like me, who isn’t already studying political science.
- Eliza Coast, disability studies student
Disability Studies Faculty
Disability Studies News
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The funding will help the college build partnerships with STEM-H innovators and strengthen the skilled workforce pipeline.
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Julia Bassett ’25 is organizing the MAPLE’S Kids program to provide the opportunity for people with disabilities to experience a wide range of adaptive sports.
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Roanoke College faculty have approved distinctive undergraduate majors in eight disciplines to meet student and workplace demand.
"Most students don’t meet people with disabilities until their senior year. I hate that model. The motto of the disabilities movement is ‘Nothing about us without us,’ so, ‘Don’t talk about us, ask us our opinions, ask us what we need, don’t tell us what we need.’”
- Professor Frances McCutcheon, about flipping the model by allowing students to meet and talk to people with disabilities early
