Conestoga College Adds Disability Studies Minor

Author: Conestoga College
Published: 4 Jul 2024 - Updated: 23 Jul 2026
Publication Type: Announcement

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This report describes how Conestoga College in Ontario has become the only college in the province to offer a minor in disability studies for degree-level students, built around four required courses: Why Normal Sucks, Positive Psychology, Intercultural Perspectives on Health and Complex Needs, and Policy, Advocacy and Disability. The minor affects degree students who can apply their interdisciplinary electives toward it, and it matters because it gives learners a structured way to examine historical attitudes toward disability, cultural approaches to health, and advocacy while the coursework appears on an official transcript. Its authority comes from being taught within the School of Interdisciplinary Studies by faculty including professor Laura Quirk, who has lived with multiple sclerosis for more than three decades, and from a "living library" of guest speakers with lived disability experience who describe the daily realities they navigate, making the material especially relevant to people with disabilities, seniors and their allies who want to better understand accessibility and inclusion.*

At a Glance

• 1 - A minor is not an additional credential, but it is recorded on a student's official transcript.
• 2 - Professor Katelan Dunn says some students see themselves reflected in the curriculum for the first time, while others confront their own biases.
• 3 - Student feedback has been strongly positive, with some describing the coursework as life-changing and validating.
• 4 - The introductory course, Why Normal Sucks, challenges the concept of normality and treats it as an idea to be resisted and ultimately replaced.

Topic Definition

Disability Studies Minor

A disability studies minor is a secondary academic discipline that degree students can complete alongside their primary program to build a focused understanding of disability across history, culture, psychology and public policy. Rather than treating disability as a purely medical matter, the field examines how societies define concepts like "normal," how attitudes and barriers shape everyday life, and how advocacy and accessible design create more inclusive communities. Because it is recorded on a student's official transcript, a minor signals dedicated study in the area, and at institutions such as Conestoga College it draws on lived experience, guest speakers and interdisciplinary coursework to prepare graduates to recognize, question and address the assumptions that often surround people with disabilities.

Overview

Degree-level students can now take a minor in disability studies at Conestoga - the only college in Ontario to offer the additional study area for degrees. Students will examine various topics related to disability through four courses, and all need to be completed to receive the minor.

The learning kicks off with the introductory course titled Why Normal Sucks, which looks at historical approaches to people with disabilities and the concepts of normal/abnormal that have emerged. The class will challenge the idea of what is "normal" and attempt to demonstrate that normality is a problem to be struggled with, resisted and, ultimately, an idea to be replaced.

The course is followed by Positive Psychology, which emphasizes positive personal traits and strengths, well-being and human flourishing; Intercultural Perspectives on Health and Complex Needs, looking at different cultural approaches to disability; and Policy, Advocacy and Disability.

Katelan Dunn, professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, said the disability minor is an eye-opening experience for students.

"For some, they see themselves reflected in the curriculum for the first time and, for others, it's an opportunity to confront their own biases and assumptions about disability."

According to Disabled World, an estimated 1.3 billion people - about 16 per cent of the global population - are living with a significant disability. It is not uncommon for those with disabilities to experience discrimination, stigma or be defined solely by their disability rather than as a person with unique abilities and talents.

"Our aim is to empower students to better understand and advocate for individuals with disabilities, and foster a more inclusive, compassionate and equitable society. We hope that students who engage with this minor will gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of accessibility and allyship and be inspired to create positive change in their communities, both within and outside of the classroom," Dunn said.

Laura Quirk, co-ordinator and professor for the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, was keen to offer this minor focus, having lived with multiple sclerosis herself for more than three decades.

Knowing the insight that can be offered by people experienced with disability, speakers are an integral part of the minor as a "living library" who can talk about the realities of challenges faced while navigating their daily lives. Student feedback has been validating, saying things like the course is life-changing.

"It was quite an experience for all of us," Quirk said.

Conestoga's degree students can use their interdisciplinary electives to complete a minor. A minor is a secondary academic discipline a student can study while completing their degree to complement and support their program or simply suit a student's general interest in a different field of study. Although a minor is not an additional credential, it is identified on an official transcript.

The School of Interdisciplinary Studies touches every area of study and work with liberal studies and language and communication courses and programs that are important in today's global economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Do students pay extra tuition to add the disability studies minor?

Costs vary by institution and program, so students should confirm current fees with Conestoga College's registrar, since a minor is generally completed using interdisciplinary electives already built into a degree rather than as separate paid courses.

How long does it take to finish a minor in disability studies?

The timeline depends on how many electives a student takes each term, but because the minor requires four courses, most learners complete it over the course of their existing degree without extending their graduation date.

Can students outside the degree program enroll in these courses?

Eligibility is set by the college, so anyone interested should contact the School of Interdisciplinary Studies directly to ask whether individual courses are open to non-degree or continuing education students.

Is a disability studies minor useful for careers in health care?

Yes, the coursework in intercultural perspectives, policy and advocacy can support roles in nursing, social work, education and community services where understanding accessibility and inclusion is increasingly valued.

What is the difference between disability studies and special education?

Disability studies examines disability through social, cultural, historical and policy lenses, while special education focuses on teaching methods and supports for learners, so the two fields complement rather than replace each other.

Does the minor include practical or experiential learning?

Alongside classroom study, the program features a "living library" of guest speakers with lived disability experience, giving students direct exposure to real-world perspectives rather than theory alone.

How does a minor appear on a job application or resume?

Because the minor is listed on an official transcript, graduates can cite it on resumes and applications as evidence of specialized study in disability, advocacy and inclusion, which may strengthen candidacy for relevant roles.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The program lands at a moment when an estimated 1.3 billion people, roughly 16 per cent of the global population, live with a significant disability and too often face discrimination, stigma or being defined by their condition rather than their talents, a reality this minor sets out to change through education rather than assumption; by weaving together positive psychology, intercultural perspectives and hands-on advocacy, and by centering voices of people with lived experience, Conestoga positions its degree students - future educators, health workers, policymakers and community leaders - to carry a working understanding of accessibility and allyship well beyond the classroom, which is why an elective choice like this can quietly reshape how an entire cohort thinks about inclusion.*

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Conestoga College and published on 4 Jul 2024, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.