The accessibility and disability studies minor documents a specialized knowledge base about the rights, experiences, and needs of people with variations in the human condition. Because there is considerable stigma regarding disability, the courses address issues of personal identity as well as the advocacy skills needed for social justice. There are increasing legal and cultural expectations of preventing barriers and facilitating greater inclusion, which means this minor adds practical depth and personal meaning to all professions.
All courses are online and highly interactive. Each course is offered more than once each year and all courses are offered in the summer.
The certificate documents the graduate’s demonstration of competence in recognizing both physical and social barriers and in analyzing contexts and materials for inclusion. This competence is attractive to employers who must all comply with legislation, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, intended to protect entitlement to activities of daily living in all environments- work, home, school, shopping, medical, leisure, and virtual.
Career Compatibility: accessibility and disability studies add practical depth to all degrees influenced by the two primary motivations to improve accessibility: to prevent harm (risk management) and to increase participation by removing barriers and stigma (social justice). Examples of CWU majors in such fields include students business administration; human resource management; supply chain management; marketing; public policy; non-profit organization management; public health; social services; safety and health management; recreation and tourism; family and child life; web design and management; physical rehabilitation therapy; paramedicine; emergency medical technician; communication; graphic design; professional and creative writing; American sign language; theatre art design and production; museum studies; anthropology; interdisciplinary studies in social sciences; applied computer science; law and justice; psychology; library information science; instructional foundations.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the program requires an online application approved by the Accessibility and Disability Studies Program. Application should be submitted and approved before completing more than one core course (ASP 305; ASP 425; ASP 435). Enrollment in ASP 485 requires permission from the program director and is contingent on demonstrated research methods proficiency.
Graduation Requirements
The minor requires the completion of required courses and approved electives with a minimum of C+ in each as well as at least 75% score on the culminating exam administered in ASP 485 Accessibility and Disability Studies Capstone.
Program Requirements
No more than five (5) credits from courses used in a student’s major(s) or other minor(s) can be applied to this program.
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