WASHINGTON, DC-- Georgetown University is launching a new interdisciplinary disability studies (IDSP) program through the School of Continuing Studies and The Center for Child and Human Development, according to The Hoya, the University newspaper. The new program includes three tracks- developmental disabilities, early intervention, and mental health systems of care for children of youth. The new program is expected to begin in September 2010.
SOURCE:
GU to Launch Disability Studies Program in 2010
http://www.thehoya.com/news/gu-launch-disability-studies-program-2010/
33 comments:
WOW! How interesting, a NEW interdisciplinary disability studies program, it is exhilarating to hear since I have never heard of such a program before. I was also unaware of the expertise that existed in the Georgetown Center for Child and Human Development in the area of disability which makes this program fit for success. This new program is designed to help students understand while also working to overcome the barriers that prohibit full participation of individuals with disabilities in the community as well as the every aspect of society as a whole. In addition, I am glad that the disciplines of health, education, law, public policies, business and the humanities will all be within the scope of this program. I find this aspect tremendously interesting since most programs address these issues but also emphasize or stress other components more specifically, such as gainful and integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. Gloria P.
I was very glad to see that there is such a program available for graduate students, in Georgetown. This program will allow graduate student to fully understand which barriers prohibit any participation for people with disabilities, and it allows them to gain even more knowledge on what services they can offer people with disabilities in order for them to overcome any obstacle, that may hinder them from any participation in society. I can sincerly say that this new program will help people with disabilities because they will have professioal students helping them and showing them what other resources are out there for them. I am so excited to say that such studies are being implemented in these universities.
Nancy Lozano
This is very interesting for me. I have always found an interest in continuing education for persons with disabilities and in how to improve some methods of it but this sounds even better because it starts in high school and the teachers will be more aware of how to help people with disabilities continue their education. This is awesome that there is a new interdisciplinary disability studies program. Graduate students seeking a masters’ in professional studies with this concentration will complete coursework through the school of continuing studies.
The IDSP [interdisciplinary disability studies program] is designed to help students understand and work to overcome the barriers to full participation of people with disabilities in the community and society,” I hope this program will become successful and grow so that I can be taught in other universities as well.
Crystal Sanchez
I clicked on Georgetown University’s website where it explains the new program that it’s instating next year in September. It stated that one reason for this program is to encourage “social justice.” It also wants to encourage community involvement. I think these are two great reasons to begin a program like this. There should be more programs like this in universities world-wide. I think the more education we have on people with disabilities, the better. There are still so many common misconceptions concerning people with disabilities. And I think it’s important to dispel those myths and provide the proper facts. I hope that this program sets a precedent with other universities. So I’m hoping that Georgetown comes out with a positive outcome. And along the same note, hopefully the graduates of this program will become compassionate leaders out in the field. Because I think our society is lacking many of those.
Vanessa C. (6345)
I think it is great that Georgetown University is launching a new Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Program that will be focusing on developmental disabilities, early interventions, and mental health systems care for children. I think all of these areas are very important to have knowledge on when focusing on persons with disabilities. After reading “thehoya.com”, I like the skills that they are trying to provide students with in working with persons with disabilities and the courses that are being offered, such as Disability and Culture. From my experience in taking these kinds of courses, it is very helpful and useful in beginning to understand the many aspects of the lives of persons with disabilities. I also feel that it is very important that they are incorporating the importance of community involvement to help people overcome barriers. It is much easier and safer if the community is aware of the many mental and physical barriers that persons with disabilities face. Good Luck to Georgetown University and I hope that this encourages other universities to start up programs of their own similar to this one and if they already have one, to improve it.
Alexandria A.
I think the start of an Interdisciplinary Disability Studies Program is an awesome idea, to bad its at Georgetown and not UTPA. As a school psychologist and former educational diagnostican and special education teacher i feel the RGV needs a program that will focus on developmental disabilities, early interventions, and mental health systems care for children especially with the growing number of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. It is crucial that persons working with children with disabilites be knowledgeable in these areas to ensure that the children that are being serviced have an opportunity to become productive members of society. “thehoya.com”, has many skills that they are trying to provide students who have disabilities. The site also have information on classes that are included such as Disability and Culture which are crucial areas of concern her in the RGV. It is important for people who work with children with disabilities be properaly educated and be transitioned appropriately to the work force or post high school setting. I also feel that it is very important that they are incorporating the importance of community involvement to help people overcome barriers. The bottom line is that people with disabilities need to be included in "normal society" instead of being issoclated. Honestly, I hope that other universities are inspired by this school and work to create a smiliar type of facility to promote success in persons with disabilities.
adriana correa REHS 6345
I think that it is a great idea for the Georgetown University to initiate a new IDSP interdisciplinary program on disability studies through the School of Continuous Studies and The Center for Child and Human Development. This really interested me and I had to learn more about it, so I checked the sources. After reading thehoya.com web page, I was really excited to know that such things are being done. Getting a masters on developmental disabilities, early intervention, and mental health systems of care for children will probably be very interesting for people in the rehabilitation field. Graduate students who are interested in this program will learn a lot of different things. I am not surprised that the IDSP is growing in interest across the Georgetown University campus and bringing together diverse groups of faculty and students. I can not wait for the starting date which is 2010, to see the results and implications of the program.
Gabriela L
Just today I spoke to a professor in UTPA and she commented the growth in our university Rehabilitation Masters Program. As i read this blog on the new program in Georgetown University it fills me with great pride to know that our university is at the forefront of change and movement in the field of rehabilitation. This summer I had the opportunity of attending a leadership workshop that stressed the importance of unity in the work place and in the community. I have always felt that there is a need for professionals to be involved in the community. Our line of work is not just in the office. A great advantage that the program in Georgetown has is desire to the "stress the importance of community involvement to help others overcome physical or mental barriers to fully participate in society." Just this summer I commented to another professor in the Rehab Department at UTPA that our program lacked a class that motivated and taught on the importance of community involvement. When you think about counseling it is important that the client have community support. Student need to be aware of how to establish community programs and activities and how to get involved. This is a great key to networking. Getting involved in the community will also ensure that clients will have a greater support system and a network of people that they can rely on. We want to avoid clients being dependent on counselors. Once again, one cannot stress enough the importance of community programs. Georgetown is headed towards the right directions in instilling the foundation of community.
Wow!this is wonderful to hear!, Georgetown is adding this great program on board. This will allow the students understand while also working to overcome thier barriers. Its also great to know so when a consumer wants information on any colleges out of state we will have this information available for them.
Erika P
The launch of this program at Georgetown is truly amazing. The only downside is that it's not in Texas but it is a great opportunity for graduate students to continue their education. It is great that Georgetown stresses that community involvement is really important because sometimes parents don't understand that professionals are there to support them not only to teach them things about their son/daughter.It would be great to have an opportunityto attend a class or workshop offered by Georgetown.
---Melchora Gracia---
It sounds very exciting and interesting that Georgetown University will have a new interdisciplinary disability studies program. Its also great since it will help and teach other people to overcome any barriers. What I liked about the IDSP is that it will have a three track and the one that sounded more interesting to me was the early intervention. I think that this track will help you teach other people how to prevent and educate adults/young children about their established condition either physical or mental. This is something very important since many people don't know the necessary steps or process as to how to lessen the disability or delay.
Sylvia Garza
This is great! I believe that having more educated people in the field of disability is very important not only to help/serve people with disabilities, but also to change negative societal attitudes toward this population. I. Corbi
I think its good that this is happening, because this means that the rehabilitation studies and field are growing. This means that this can help many children since their childhood to have better rehabilitation services.Hopefullly many other universities will open and create new programs to expand the field. And kudos to Georgetown University for starting new things!
Ana R.
That’s great; students who participate in the program would finish with great insight to the many issues that need to be addressed when advocating and researching. With the extended education the students will be better prepared to lead important research and handle things like public policy. I think that the idea of having the community more involved and assisting people with disabilities is much needed in many different ways.
Joseph G.
What a great opportunity for the students of Georgetown University. I believe that the inclusion of developmental disabilities, early intervention, and mental health systems of care for children is a great idea. The students of this program will be well trained and including the community will allow for a better understanding of what they do. It’s also a great to let the community know about the resources out there and they will be more willing to refer others for help and possibly get help for themselves as well.
I always have thought that the lack of information/education can lead people to take wrong decisions that can affect other people; so when it comes to a new disability interdisciplinary program in which more people will get involved to advocate for PWD it’s very good news. They mention that the program will explore the socio-political construct of disability and the program will have a diverse population of people interested in it, such as service providers, policy makers, and scholars. The involvement of the community is essential in helping PWD to overcome barriers. These programs will be based in fields like health, law, education, business, humanities and public policy and will include three areas: developmental disabilities, early intervention and mental health. I think that these times demand more programs to prepare professionals about the needs of people with disabilities. Go Georgetown University!
L.M.Lastra
I always have thought that the lack of information/education can lead people to take wrong decisions that can affect other people; so when it comes to a new disability interdisciplinary program in which more people will get involved to advocate for PWD it’s very good news. They mention that the program will explore the socio-political construct of disability and the program will have a diverse population of people interested in it, such as service providers, policy makers, and scholars. The involvement of the community is essential in helping PWD to overcome barriers. These programs will be based in fields like health, law, education, business, humanities and public policy and will include three areas: developmental disabilities, early intervention and mental health. I think that these times demand more programs to prepare professionals about the needs of people with disabilities. Go Georgetown University!
L.M.Lastra
It is very interesting how a new interdisciplinary disability studies program will be constructed. I think that is very important to support the graduate students since is them who are going to help the community. It was until know that I read this article, that existed a Child and Human Development in the area of Georgetown. This program can make students understand more and be able to work at the same time and apply all the knowledge. Also, I believe that the more you prepare the more you can afford to others and community.
Ivette Martinez
Georgetown is one of my favorite schools, i had the opportunity of visiting the campus a couple year back. I am excited to hear that they are starting this new program which incorporates three different areas of disability. There is much needed research in these fields and i think more programs like these should open up in all universities. The more research we can obtain as a whole, the better our prognosis will be. I think it's only a matter of time before we start seeing programs like these pop up in universities throughout.
How exciting that they are launching this interdisciplinary disability studies program, I have never heard of this program but I am very glad that they decided to launch it. I think that the information provided will be great and I think that all universities should open up programs like these so that they can offer students the information that we need to have an overall view of disabilities. I’m sure that if the program does well, other universities will opt to start programs like these in the future.
Blanca Perez
It is great new to hear that another university will have a program for interdisciplinary disability studies. The three topics that they will have sound very intriguing to me since they all have to do young children and I am a mom.
I think that there is a severe lack in quality special education programs. To learn and be more proactive is vital to assisting IWD. This could not be more important than in the early intervention programs. If there is a good foundation in the early years than there is a good chance that there will be the ability to assit the IWD on a whole new level.
I think that this is awesome! I think that it's great that this program focuses on specific factors that can help the development of people with disabilities. I think that continued education in this field is of great importance. I clicked on the website and it stated that it will provide students with the skills to assume leadership roles, which I think is so important in this field. I hope that programs like these will continue to grow throughout the U.S.
WOW.....!!! This is really awesome Im glad to hear this. I think that by making these kinds of programs thats how the public is going to get educated about PWD. And not also to the mainstream public but to PWD too!! Miguel Garza
This is very interesting!! There needs to be more programs out there that bring awareness towards disability and offers adequate information on how to treat with people with disabilities.
GAbby
It is awesome that the demand for jobs that deal with people with disabilities are being added. These new programs of interdisciplinary disability studies program ties in with our rehabilitation studies background. I would love to attend one of these programs of study.
-Bibiana Medina
People with disabilities need those who help them to be educated in the psychosocial aspect of their lives, need to knowledge of all kinds of disabilities and understand all aspects of it not just the medical aspect towards a disability. I am astounded to know that there are other programs opening up at other more known and bigger Universities such as Georgetown University! By having more programs like these open up can only benefit our country in the way that more people will have the opportunity to be educated on the legislation, Independent Living, State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Programs and other important programs that are out there to help those with disabilities. Many people are not aware of the options that are out there, but by continuing to educate people on these topics will only help us, future & current rehabilitation professionals, serve others with disabilities much more effectively and efficiently.
Heather Bocanegra
I am so excited that students at Georgetown will have the option to enroll in the Interdisciplinary Studies for Disabilities Program (ISDP)! The great thing is that students with various majors will be able to enroll in the program. I agree with Adriana and hope that one day UTPA will offer a similar program.
This program is going to focus on the following three tracks: developmental disabilities, early intervention, and mental health systems of care for children of youth.
I do hope that students at Georgetown show an interest in the program and enroll in the program. I visited the Georgetown webpage and could not find any information on this new program.
I know September 2010 is far away but the university should start providing
more information on their website. For example, I did not even know about the Master's of Rehabilitation program until I saw an ad on the newspaper!
B. Ramirez
REHS 6300
I think what the Georgetown University is doing by launching a disability studies program is a great idea. The program will give students an insight in the lives of people with disabilities and promote integration amongst people with disabilities and those who do not. This program is a great opportunity for those who wish to understand disabilities and overcome the barriers in communication with people with disabilities. More universities should offer programs similar to Georgetown’s and offer courses designed to give the student a though rough picture of what it will be like to work with persons with a disability because not many understand the experience until they actually go through it. One day maybe our university will follow this trend to make future students leaders in advocacy for those that cannot speak up for themselves.
C. Cardona
This "New Disabilities Studies Program" is a cornerstone to hopefully many others to come after. I do not know how the idea originated but I do want to think that certain "key" People with Disabilities are behind it, and that's excellent. I hope that the university get a good and solid first cohort of students who will not only get educated about disabilities, but who can become true advocates for them. Also, hopefully they will become true educators to other people who still do not understand and/or accept that PWDs are all around us and that we must count them as equal members of society.
-Leila Flores
I think this is great news for George Washington University. The three programs of study all seem to deal with young persons with disabilities and I think that we definitely need more well trained individuals with an in-depth comprehension of the needs of persons with disabilities and the laws that protect them. Furthermore, many graduate of GWU actually take jobs in DC and have internships on the Captial. I think having better educated people in the field of disabilites in postions of influence is certainly a step in the right direction.
Cindy V.
More programs of the U.S. For disability studies means a higher education rate for population. We need more people educated and researching disability programs and legislation that can help individuals with disabilities all across America It has three tracks focused on developmental disabilities, early intervention, and mental Health Systems for children of youth. This allows the program to reach a much broader audience and give more options for people wanting to enter the field, where individuals go to Georgetown university they will have a wide variety of options to choose from. The more schools that have higher education’s programs focused on people with disabilities and teaching individuals about people’s with disabilities will go a long way to help education in our country today to. It is my hope that in 10 years every higher education establishment will have a rehabilitation degree or program focused on disability studies so that all individuals have the ability and access to that type of education.
I'm always thrilled to see educational programs being implemented in universities and colleges. I think it is essential that students are exposed to a variety of options when they are picking a life career. For Georgetown University to offer these courses is definitely overdue, however, as the saying goes, it is better late than never. The variety of courses being offered are essential and I have great hope for the future of disability studies.
Maggie Ybarra
REHS 6345
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