coalition for disability

Thank you for stopping by to learn more about the Coalition for Disability. Take some time to look through our content and don’t hesitate to share how you’d like to get involved. Use the menu below to jump to a section of interest. 

Please contact us at [email protected] or connect with the members of our Directorate Body with questions or ideas.

Our MISSION

In conjunction with the mission of ACPA—College Student Educators International, the Coalition for Disability is committed to values that support inclusivity, engage people to have new experiences, and inspire others to become advocates through our work. In addition, the coalition is dedicated to the advancement of disability education within the field of higher education to further awareness, eliminate commonly held misconceptions, and encourage people to view disability as a tenet of diversity.

inclusion

As a Coalition, we aim to pull together students, faculty, those with disabilities, disability service providers, and allies to carry out the mission of the Coalition for Disability (CD).  The CD works with other inclusion groups in ACPA, by facilitating dialogue and collaboration.

access

Primarily focused on environmental accessibility, the coalition plays an integral role in providing access for the annual national convention.  The CD, through the leadership of the access chair, takes the lead ensuring that convention space, technology, and transportation are accessible to individuals of all abilities. 

Advocacy

The Coalition for Disability values advocacy by recognizing and awarding  the work of professionals in higher education that raises awareness, promotes inclusivity, and encourages advocacy of individuals with diverse abilities.

Education Research

Within the Coalition, we are dedicated toward the acquirement and dissemination of information regarding disabilities within society and, more specifically, higher education.  Through annual newsletters and social media, the coalition strives to educate practicing professionals on best practices and current events.

HISTORY & Resources

Founder: Alice Mitchell (2000)

Past Chairs: Karen Myers (2001-05), Mary Tregoning (2005-2007), Nancy Badger (2007-2009), Katherine Stolz (2009-2011), Melanie Thompson (2011-2013), Michael Kutnak (2013 – 2014), Erika Heffernan (2015-2016), Dale Ellen O’Neill (2016-2018), Spencer Scruggs (2018-2022)

News & Updates

Queering Ability

Greetings Coalition members and general ACPA membership: I’m Spencer Scruggs and I currently serve as the Membership Engagement Coordinator for the Coalition for (Dis)Ability. I’ve happily served in the role for a year and a half and feel blessed to have worked with...

upcoming events

There are no upcoming events at this time

Meet the Directorate

Capria Berry
Capria Berry

Chair-Elect

they/them/their

[email protected]

Spencer Scruggs
Spencer Scruggs

Immediate Past Chair

Erin Mayo
Erin Mayo

Engagement Coordinator

she/her/hers

[email protected]

Michael Kutnak
Michael Kutnak

Past Chair, Special Projects Coordinator, ACPA23 Accessibility Advisor

Dale O'Neill
Dale O'Neill

Past Chair & Convention Experiences Coordinator

she/her/hers

[email protected]

Trixie Ramoso
Trixie Ramoso

Member Experiences Coordinator

she/her/hers

[email protected]

Julie Weiner
Julie Weiner

Member Experiences Coordinator

she/her/hers

[email protected]

Ryan A. Miller
Ryan A. Miller

Scholar-in-Residence

Sarah Schoper
Sarah Schoper

Research Coordinator

she/her/hers

[email protected]

Amelia-Marie Altstadt
Amelia-Marie Altstadt

Special Projects Coordinator

Micah Hodges
Micah Hodges

Special Projects Coordinator

Rory O'Neill Schmitt
Rory O'Neill Schmitt

Special Projects Coordinator

she/her/hers

[email protected]

Jessica Estes
Jessica Estes

Social Media Coordinator

Get Involved

Become a member of the Coalition for Disability! Support student learning in higher education by helping to share knowledge of best practices, policies, and programs for those working with disabilities or for students with disabilities in the higher education community.

Ready to join?

Joining an Entity through the ACPA Member Portal automatically identifies you as a member of that Entity! You will begin to receive Entity communications through their respective email listserv and have access to any resources they share!

  1. Login to your ACPA Member Account
  2. Click on Community Groups (Chatter)
  3. Click Groups
  4. Click Active Groups
  5. Find the entity you want to join and within that group, click +Join

Contact [email protected] to learn more or ask questions!

Any ACPA member can become involved and there are varying levels of involvement:

  • Attend our open business meeting at the annual ACPA convention
  • Review conference programs for the annual convention
  • Submit a sponsored program proposal for the annual convention
  • Host an ACPA2GO Webinar
  • Write a blog post to be featured in our blog section below

Awards

Annually in the fall semester, the Coalition for Disability collects nominations for our annual awards process. Recipients are announced in mid-December and awarded at the next ACPA Convention.

Intersectionality Award

In line with ACPA’s mission, this award is given to a scholar and/or practitioner who promotes awareness of the intersectionality between disability and other identities. Through scholarship, community outreach, or professional services, this award winner will exhibit cultural competency and advocacy for the unique experiences and challenges that individuals with disabilities and other intersecting identities encounter.

Alice A. Mitchell Ally Award

In honor of the founder of the Coalition for (Dis)Ability, this award will be given to a postsecondary educator or staff member who is supportive of the disability community. An ally is actively involved in promoting inclusion of individuals with disabilities in addition to promoting awareness of disability-related concerns. Allies act as advocates for the (dis(ability community.

Disability Leadership Award

This award is given to an individual with a disability who has contributed to promoting awareness of, knowledge about, and inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Contributions may be made through research, advocacy, or professional work.

Disability Service Provider

This award is given to an individual who is a disability service provider in a postsecondary education setting. A disability service provider promotes access and inclusion for people with disabilities by working to ensure equal access to curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular programs, activities and services.

Nominations have closed and winners will be announced soon! Stay tuned for our Award Celebration!

Coalition for (Dis)Ability Blog

Queering Ability

Greetings Coalition members and general ACPA membership: I’m Spencer Scruggs and I currently serve as the Membership Engagement Coordinator for the Coalition for (Dis)Ability. I’ve happily served in the role for a year and a half and feel blessed to have worked with...

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