Program Highlights & Admission Requirements

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Become an advocate for accessibility and social justice. The material taught in this program is derived from people with disabilities and their lived experiences. The knowledge you gain is grounded in the real world and we enhance the theory you learn with practice. The placements and volunteer opportunities offered through this program add value to your degree.

Sample Courses: Historical Approaches to People with Disabilities, Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science, Meeting Human Needs through Social Welfare, Social Work and Diversity

Career Tracks: Disability support worker, diversity co-ordinator, behavioural aide, child and youth care worker, accessibility research and policy development advocate

Benefit from training in both psychology and disability studies in this program that gives you lots of hands-on learning opportunities. We offer community volunteer experience and placements, giving you an edge when it comes time to launch your career. We’re here to give you the individual support you need to succeed.

Sample Courses: Social Work and Diversity, Developmental Psychology, Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science, Learning and Behaviour, Theories of Disability and the Social Model, Historical Approaches to People with Disabilities

Career Tracks: Disability service worker, community support worker, behavioural aide, mental health worker, child and youth worker

Co-op Co-op Available
G General 3-year program
H Honours 4-year program
T Thesis Available
C Combined Honours programs available

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"Disability Studies provided me with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in my chosen career and continue on to pursue graduate studies. The faculty are supportive and the courses are engaging. This program strikes a great balance between theory and practice and provides interdisciplinary perspectives of disability.”

John Freer
BA in Disability Studies

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What Will I Learn?

Understanding, internalizing, communicating, and enacting best practices for making accommodations and modifications for persons with disabilities in real-world, context-sensitive situations
Evaluating representations of persons with disabilities in literature and media
Understanding psychological and social models of disability

Developing inclusive lectures, presentations, and programs that target diverse demographics equitably while remaining sensitive to various cultural dynamics

Assessing and appreciating the consequence of culturally constructed roles—and the perception of these roles—on individuals and broader social groups

Critically investigating trends and phenomena in socio-cultural life and business in the context of ableism

22

Number of Graduates (2020)

94%

EMPLOYMENT RATE OF GRADUATES*

*2 years following degree completion (OUGS Social Sciences, 2019)

Explore your opportunities

Communications specialist
Consultant
Disability support worker
Diversity co-ordinator
Educational assistant
Family counsellor
Group home worker
Health-care administrator
Human resources manager
Immigration officer
Industry instructor
Journalist
Lawyer

Marketing manager
Personal aide
Physical therapist
Physician
Policy analyst
Professor
Psychologist
Public official
Public policy analyst
Public relations officer
Research co-ordinator
Social worker
Teacher

First Year

Review degree course requirements
Attend Head Start and Orientation meetings for your programs of study
Take required courses in Disability Studies, Psychology, and Social Work
Enrol in a variety of science and arts courses to expand knowledge and interests
Reach out and interact with your peers across Disability Studies programs
Consider adding another major to obtain a Combined Honours Degree

Middle Years

Take required courses and check in with academic advisor to make sure you are on the right path
Look into aiding professors with research on campus HIP
Begin looking into Graduate and Professional program options
Consider declaring a minor and/or specialization
Apply to the professional years of Social Work in year 2 if you are in the Social Work stream
Look into working with a faculty member on research or a Psychology thesis HIP

Final Year

Complete all required courses for your degree
Apply to graduate through UWinsite Student Portal
Complete required field placement, internship, or practicum course to optimize your senior experience HIP

First Year

Volunteer or work for a disability-related non-profit or social justice organizations such as respite services
Join one of our active student associations: Disability Studies Student Association, Social Work Student Association, Psychology Students’ Association, Accessibility Awareness Committee
Attend university events and speaking engagements related to disability issues
Investigate research opportunities as part of the Outstanding Scholars program HIP
Research student exchange opportunities for second or third year HIP
Participate in the Bystander Initiative workshop to gain skills that will help you be an effective and supportive ally to prevent sexual assault on campus

Middle Years

Join a professional association in your field such as the Canadian Disability Studies Association
Attend a Disability Studies Student Association event such as the annual gala
Become a student representative on a program or school committee
Participate in the UWill Discover undergraduate research conference HIP
Consider applying for student exchange HIP
Continue engaging in disability-related summer, part-time, or volunteer work
Look for a leadership role in a club or society
Apply for a co-curricular experience such as VIP - Community Service Learning HIP

Final Year

Become a peer mentor for first-year Psychology, Disability Studies or Social Work students
Volunteer with organization such as the Best Buddies UWindsor Chapter
Become a tutor for Students Offering Support (SOS) HIP
Meet agency professionals through workshops or a Disability Studies, Psychology or Social Work guest speaker series

First Year

Start by making a list of things that you enjoy and areas in which you excel
Meet with a career advisor in Career Development and Experiential Learning (CDEL) for help developing a plan for your future years
Consider a career assessment workshop or appointment to help you identify possible career paths
Get involved with a part-time job, volunteer opportunity, campus group, or research assistantship
Attend CDEL's workshops to learn how to find a summer or part-time job and write a university-level resumé
Chat with an advisor during CDEL's Drop In hours to get answers to your career and job search questions

Middle Years

Research career fields and occupations with the help of a CDEL career advisor
Explore opportunities and meet potential employers by participating in job fairs, industry networking events, or CDEL’s Job Shadow Experience
Explore further educational opportunities by attending the Graduate and Professional Schools Fair and researching admission requirements for programs you are interested in
Create a LinkedIn profile and have it critiqued by CDEL
Take part in informational interviews and join online communities like LinkedIn and Ten Thousand Coffees to connect with people in your targeted profession or industry
Search job postings to learn what skills, knowledge, and credentials you will need for potential careers

Final Year

If you are considering applying to graduate or professional school, be aware of early application deadlines
Meet with CDEL to prepare application documents like a resumé, cover letter, CV, or personal statement for jobs and education programs you are applying to
Attend an CDEL's workshops on interview skills and job search strategies
Set up a mock interview with a career advisor for professional school or job applications
Take part in recruitment events and job fairs, including those organized by CDEL
Explore professional development opportunities through Continuing Education

High-Impact Practices (HIP)

A HIP is an enriching educational experience that can be life-changing and often includes learning outside of the classroom while encouraging meaningful interaction and collaboration.

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Disability Studies

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Program Highlights & Admission Requirements

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Connect with DISABILITY STUDIES

What Will I Learn?

Number of Graduates (2020)

EMPLOYMENT RATE OF GRADUATES*

Explore your opportunities

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

High-Impact Practices (HIP)

Learn More

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UWindsor

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Program Highlights & Admission Requirements

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Disability Studies H C

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Social Work & Disability Studies (BSW) H

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Disability Studies & Psychology H

Admission requirements for Applicants in Canada

Admission requirements for Applicants outside of Canada

Disability Studies for CAAT Diploma Holders (BA) H

Admission requirements for Applicants in Canada

Admission requirements for Applicants outside of Canada

Get a FAHSS Brochure sent straight to your inbox

Connect with DISABILITY STUDIES

What Will I Learn?

Number of Graduates (2020)

EMPLOYMENT RATE OF GRADUATES*

Explore your opportunities

Career Tracks

Experiences

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

First Year

Middle Years

Final Year

High-Impact Practices (HIP)

Learn More

Apply to UWindsor

Step by step: How to Apply

Events & Webinars

Questions? Need Help?

There are multiple ways to connect with UWindsor to ask questions

Get a FAHSS Brochure
sent straight to your inbox

Apply to
UWindsor

Events &
Webinars

Questions?
Need Help?