Disability Studies: Another First for WSU

Washington State University announced its first disability studies prefix for undergraduates. WSU’s Faculty Senate changed two courses to the new prefix for fall semester 2007: SHS 250 Perspectives on Disability that was first offered in 1991 will be changed to DisSt 250 Perspectives on Disablity, and SHS 489 Disability and Society offered since 1999 will change to DisSt 489 Disability and Society.

WSU was the first in the Pacific Northwest to offer disability studies courses and the first to offer a minor. WSU is now the first university to have this specific prefix, said Marshall Mitchell, a WSU clinical assistant professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences. This prefix is a stepping stone to the establishment of a disability studies department. These courses are important and applicable to any career opportunity, said Mitchell.

DisSt 250 illustrates to students the socially created barriers that people with different types of disabilities deal with through lecture and guest speakers. DisSt 489 is a tier three course that allows students to examine society’s perceptions about disabilities through media evaluation. This course may be completed via distance degree or on the Pullman campus. Over 200 students enroll in these classes each semester. 

WSU will co-host the 20th Annual Conference of the Society of Disability Studies to be held in Seattle for the first time May 31 through June 3.

Mitchell can be reached at (509) 335-6220 or mitchem@wsu.edu.