Bridging the Gap Between Disability Studies and Disability Services in Higher Education: A Model Center on Disability

The professional field of Disability Services in Higher Education and the academic discipline of Disability Studies share a perspective on disability that considers disability as a socially constructed phenomenon. Despite this common underpinning, there has been little effort or inquiry into the ways that disability services and Disability Studies can and should inform each other. At the University of Arizona, a model Center on Disability is taking shape that will explore the gaps between Disability Studies and services. Specifically, the Center will unite current and needed resources to advance theory and practice in disability-related research, teaching, and service that contribute to social change. The Center will be a catalyst for innovative, collaborative inquiry that will illuminate the intersections among education, the humanities, the arts, social and behavioral sciences, and the professional schools. The Center's research will address education, policy, and practice.