This Spring, 30 students enrolled in Global Perspectives on Disability, an interdisciplinary course jointly sponsored by the Special Education and International Studies Departments. The course introduced students to the history and development of disability rights movements across the world, the importance of utilizing a human rights perspective, and the key international laws and policies used to advance disability rights. Students were also encouraged to consider disability inclusion no matter what field they planned to enter, as they represented a wide array of disciplines, such as psychology, history, sociology, ethnic studies, special education, family and human services, and international studies.
For many students, the most powerful aspect of the course was a site visit to MIUSA’s Pakistan Women’s Leadership Exchange Program. During the site visit, they learned firsthand from women activists with and without disabilities about the challenges and successes of the women’s rights and disability rights movements in Pakistan. Many students remarked that the experience was eye-opening and influential for their future career paths.
“Meeting with the women from Pakistan was an incredible experience and it inspired me to possibly pursue a career in international relations.” – University of Oregon student, Junior, Psychology major
“As a person who wants to be a future educator someday, I will take away what I learned from this visit and this course to create the best possible experience in my classroom.” – University of Oregon student, Senior, Humanities Major“The experience of this leadership conference was perspective-changing for me, and taught me about the struggle that many still go through for justice all over the world. I was able to meet people from outside my “bubble” and expand my breadth of thought and outlook on the world.” – University of Oregon student, Senior, Communication Disorders Sciences Major
MIUSA hopes to continue to expand opportunities for university students to learn about disability issues in the classroom, so that future leaders and decision makers will understand that disability inclusion is a human rights issue.
