Uploaded April 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Disability can be considered the largest minority group in the United States; about 25% of U.S. adults have a disability according to the CDC. However, people with disabilities are underrepresented in psychology. According to SPSP member diversity statistics, only 4% of the total membership is disabled, and of those 41% were graduate students. Thus, it appears that faculty members with disabilities are underrepresented, or at least are reluctant to identify as such, while there is a large number of disabled students in the pipeline in need of mentorship. Disparities may be attributed to systemic barriers in education and employment and a lack of role models and mentorship. This panel of four faculty members representing a variety of disabilities and career stages will discuss challenges and strategies around systemic barriers, ableism, and advocacy. Topics may include navigating graduate school, career advancement, accommodations, assistive technology, social interactions, conference participation, conducting research about disability, and finding community.
Speakers: Katie Wang, Yale University; Kathleen Bogart, Oregon State University; Lisa Aspinwall, University of Utah; David Myers, Hope College
Presented at SPSP 2022 Annual Convention
Disability can be considered the largest minority group in the United States; about 25% of U.S. adults have a disability according to the CDC. However, people with disabilities are underrepresented in psychology. According to SPSP member diversity statistics, only 4% of the total membership is disabled, and of those 41% were graduate students. Thus, it appears that faculty members with disabilities are underrepresented, or at least are reluctant to identify as such, while there is a large number of disabled students in the pipeline in need of mentorship. Disparities may be attributed to systemic barriers in education and employment and a lack of role models and mentorship. This panel of four faculty members representing a variety of disabilities and career stages will discuss challenges and strategies around systemic barriers, ableism, and advocacy. Topics may include navigating graduate school, career advancement, accommodations, assistive technology, social interactions, conference participation, conducting research about disability, and finding community.
Speakers: Katie Wang, Yale University; Kathleen Bogart, Oregon State University; Lisa Aspinwall, University of Utah; David Myers, Hope College
Presented at SPSP 2022 Annual Convention
