Who Belongs in College? Part 3

Who Belongs in College? A U.S. History of Dis/Ability, Access, & Advocacy: Part I

Who belongs in college? Who doesn’t? Where do these beliefs come from? In Part I of this three-part participatory workshop, we will take a comprehensive look back at the history of dis/ability and aptitude, spanning from the ancient world to early European invasion in the Americas.

With ample opportunity for discussion and reflection, we will explore how the definition of dis/ability in the U.S. has been constructed as a tool for oppression, how these historical and legal definitions still impact our understanding of dis/ability today, and how we can increase access in higher education for a cognitively and physically diverse student body.

Please note: this workshop contains subject matter related to the historical violence, traumatization, and oppression of disabled people.

How to Attend

The event will be remote and take place on Zoom. Follow the directions on your confirmation ticket to join us remotely.

Our events seek to be inclusive, and all are welcome. If you have accessibility requests, please reach out to oai@pdx.edu prior to the event!

Meet the Facilitators

Jason Schaffer

Universal Design for Learning Student Assistant, Office of Academic Innovation, Portland State University

Jason Schaffer is the Universal Design for Learning Student Assistant here at OAI. In his role, he gives user feedback on various virtual platforms from a cognitive accessibility perspective. Jason also prepares and co-leads workshops with the Digital Inclusion & Universal Design Coordinator, providing a critical student perspective on inclusive course design. He is a second-year student in the Career and Community Studies Certificate Program for students who experience intellectual disabilities, ultimately hoping to pursue a career in social work and disability advocacy. In his free time, Jason enjoys going to sporting events, playing basketball, hiking, and doing artwork.

Megan McFarland

Digital Inclusion and Universal Design Coordinator, Office of Academic Innovation, Portland State University

Megan earned a BA in English Composition from Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA and an M.Ed with concentrations in both Secondary Special Education and English Language Arts from Portland State University. After serving as an English Learning Specialist for Vancouver Public Schools, Megan was the director and curriculum designer for a national high school leadership education program. Most recently, she worked to build the academic branch of Portland State's Career & Community Studies Certificate Program for students with intellectual disabilities. She is also currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Special Education Leadership & Policy at Portland State.