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), Capria Berry (2022-2024)
Historical documents
News & Updates
Announcing Our Brand New Publication
The Coalition for (Dis)Ability is really excited to be launching a brand new publication with ACPA, Creating Inclusivity While Providing Accommodations: A Practical Guide to Champion Individuals with (Dis)abilities on Campus. Edited by Drs. Amy French and Sarah...
Coalition for Disability Resources
Professional Development Resources Coalition for Disability Resource List Disability Studies Educational Programs Curriculum Transformation and Disability (CTAD): Implementing Universal Design in Higher Education Part 1: Pages 1-184 Part 2: Pages 185-31 Pedagogy and...
Tips for Accessible Social Media
By Spencer Scruggs “Are you even cool enough to have a Finsta?!!!” Social media is so ubiquitous nowadays and often is out of popularity as soon as it is in. Generationally, we know there are significant differences between what social media platforms are used and by...
Why is it that disability equity and inclusion is not a community issue, but an “us” issue?
By: Acacia Kapusta Oftentimes, when we hear or say the words “diversity,” “equity,” “inclusion,” or “social justice,” disability is not even a part of the definition or the efforts in Student Affairs and on our campuses. On most campuses, the Disability Resource...
What are your options if you experience discrimination in your work environment?
By Sarah E. Schoper As a person with multiple disabilities, and someone who didn’t acquire her disabilities until four years ago, what I can tell you is that discrimination will most likely happen to you whether or not you work in higher education. It will always be...
Is Financial Aid Information Equitably Available to Students with Disabilities?
By Dr. Ryan Wells, Mujtaba Hedayet, and Dr. Emily Perlow One of the greatest barriers to degree completion is the financial cost of attending college. While common, financial burdens may be especially problematic for students with disabilities, who comprise a...
Experiences with a Physical Disability
By: Sarah Schoper I have a visible physical disability called foot drop (or drop foot...not sure why they can’t keep the name consistent) that I gained after experiencing a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I acquired this disability in January 2015, which means I will...
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...
Higher Ed Professionals with Mental Illness Need Support – Not Stigma
It was March 2015, and I was getting ready to step on a stage in front of 400 or so of my colleagues in higher education and tell them all that once upon a time, I had attempted suicide. It would be an understatement to say that my nerves were fraught, but I also knew...
upcoming events
There are no upcoming events at this time
Meet the Directorate
Rory O'Neill Schmitt
Special Projects Coordinator
she/her/hers
Antonia DeMichiel
Membership Engagement Coordinator
she/her/hers
Pamela Butler
Membership Engagement Coordinator
she/her/hers
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!
- Login to your ACPA Member Account
- Click on Community Groups (Chatter)
- Click Groups
- Click Active Groups
- 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
Volunteer with the Coalition for Disability at ACPA25
- Connection Point (Convention On-Site)
- Description: Connection Point is ACPA’s involvement fair that happens on the first day of convention. This is an event where we table and give away small items, help folks sign up for the email list and tell them more about the coalition and opportunities for engagement. This can be done sitting or standing, it is usually a pretty loud event. We will have all the materials including talking points prepared for you.
- Timeline: The event lasts for a single hour on Sunday and is before the opening session.
- Endorsed Program Introductions (Convention On-Site)
- Description: Become an ambassador and welcome our endorsed program presenters. It is common for endorsed programs to have a small token from the coalitions providing endorsement as well as an intro announcement from the coalition. It is most appropriate that the group providing the endorsement has one person doing the speaking portion and greet the presenters and that person stays for the entire session.
- Timeline: Once endorsed programs are solidified and the program book schedule is set, we can connect with those of you expressing interest and divide the task.
- Social Media at Convention (Convention On-Site)
- Description: Our busiest season on social media usually begins 100 days out from Convention and really increases during convention itself. It would be helpful to have folks working on graphics and posting during the event in February and even leading up to February’s convention. Many convention items come with templates centrally from ACPA. This responsibility can be shared in a number of ways: Social Media volunteer(s) can do all graphics and all posting, awards folks can do awards graphics and send to social media folks, endorsed programs can write blurbs for endorsed program posts, etc. Any system will work, we just need people to be actively engaged in that process at Convention and assistance leading up to it. Coalitions & Networks also has short guidance on posting.
- Timeline: Late October start through February
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 are currently closed. The 2025 winners will be announced soon! Stay tuned for the announcement of the 2026 award cycle that will open late summer 2025.
Coalition for Disability Blog
Tips for Accessible Social Media
By Spencer Scruggs “Are you even cool enough to have a Finsta?!!!” Social media is so ubiquitous nowadays and often is out of popularity as soon as it is in. Generationally, we know there are significant differences between what social media platforms are used and by...
Why is it that disability equity and inclusion is not a community issue, but an “us” issue?
By: Acacia Kapusta Oftentimes, when we hear or say the words “diversity,” “equity,” “inclusion,” or “social justice,” disability is not even a part of the definition or the efforts in Student Affairs and on our campuses. On most campuses, the Disability Resource...
What are your options if you experience discrimination in your work environment?
By Sarah E. Schoper As a person with multiple disabilities, and someone who didn’t acquire her disabilities until four years ago, what I can tell you is that discrimination will most likely happen to you whether or not you work in higher education. It will always be...
Is Financial Aid Information Equitably Available to Students with Disabilities?
By Dr. Ryan Wells, Mujtaba Hedayet, and Dr. Emily Perlow One of the greatest barriers to degree completion is the financial cost of attending college. While common, financial burdens may be especially problematic for students with disabilities, who comprise a...
Experiences with a Physical Disability
By: Sarah Schoper I have a visible physical disability called foot drop (or drop foot...not sure why they can’t keep the name consistent) that I gained after experiencing a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I acquired this disability in January 2015, which means I will...
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...
Higher Ed Professionals with Mental Illness Need Support – Not Stigma
It was March 2015, and I was getting ready to step on a stage in front of 400 or so of my colleagues in higher education and tell them all that once upon a time, I had attempted suicide. It would be an understatement to say that my nerves were fraught, but I also knew...