University of Toledo Launches Humanities Based Disability Studies Degree
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2015/08/03 - Updated: 2025/05/29
Publication Type: Announcement
Category Topic: Universities and Colleges - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information introduces the University of Toledo's pioneering undergraduate degree in disability studies, which stands out as the first of its kind in the United States rooted in the humanities and offered exclusively on campus. Unlike traditional biomedical approaches, this program frames disability as a social construct, emphasizing the cultural, historical, and societal dimensions of disability rather than focusing solely on medical or functional limitations.
The curriculum covers a wide range of topics including disability culture and history, law and human rights, Deaf studies, gender and disability, and autism and culture, and requires a mandatory internship to provide practical experience. This approach is authoritative and useful because it is led by recognized experts in the field, such as Dr. Jim Ferris, and responds to the growing need for professionals who understand disability as a sociocultural phenomenon - an understanding that is increasingly relevant as the population ages and the number of people with disabilities rises.
The degree prepares students for impactful careers in social services, advocacy, education, health care administration, government policy, and human resource management, making it especially valuable for people with disabilities, seniors, and those working to support these communities - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
As the country celebrates the 25-year anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, The University of Toledo is working to advance the conversation beyond addressing discrimination and accessibility.
Main Content
A new undergraduate degree in disability studies beginning this fall at UToledo is the first of its kind in the country rooted in the humanities and offered exclusively on campus.
"Disability has long been studied as a biomedical issue, but disability studies is dramatically different," said Dr. Jim Ferris, the Ability Center of Greater Toledo Endowed Chair in Disability Studies. "Rather than focusing on the characteristics of bodies and functional limitations or impairments, disability studies focuses on disability as a social construct."
The disability rights movement started in the 1970s and advanced when President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA on July 26, 1990.
Now the growing field of disability studies is promoting the scholarly understanding of disability as a sociocultural phenomenon rather than simply as a medically defined condition through recognizing the contributions, experiences, history and culture of people with disabilities, Ferris said.
"At its heart disability studies is about what it means to be human: who gets to participate in society and to what extent," he said. "It's about recognizing and respecting diversity. It's about how to think about and talk about the ways of being different in the world."
People with disabilities make up the largest minority group in the United States with more than 56 million people or 19 percent of the population, according to 2010 Census Bureau data, with that number expected to grow as the population ages, Ferris said.
"Everyone becomes disabled if they live long enough. It's part of the aging process," he said.
A bachelor's degree in disability studies is marketed to students interested in careers in social service, public education, advocacy, government policy, health care administration, human resource management or other similar fields.
The degree program includes study of disability culture and history, disability law and human rights, Deaf studies, gender and disability, and autism and culture, as well as a mandatory internship.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The University of Toledo's disability studies program marks a significant shift in higher education by challenging conventional narratives and equipping students with the tools to advocate for a more inclusive society. By centering disability as a vital aspect of human diversity and social participation, this degree not only benefits future professionals but also contributes to broader cultural change, making it a noteworthy model for other institutions seeking to address the evolving needs of an increasingly diverse population. By integrating academic rigor with real-world application, the program not only prepares students for diverse professional paths but also contributes to a more inclusive and understanding society - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.