Over 60 million Americans live with a disability, making people with disabilities the largest minority group. While 20% of undergraduate students have disabilities, the numbers drop to only 11% of graduate students and an estimated 4% of faculty. Across schools, colleges and universities the Office of Civil Rights settles more than 1,000 complaints with changes enforced each year. The reported experiences of students with disabilities in higher education include lack of access, discrimination, and inequitable experiences. This session will address inequities for students with disabilities in the counselor education classroom with practical suggestions to facilitate an equitable classroom environment and improve accessibility of course materials, activities, and spaces.  

Presenter: Lynn Pierce, MS, CRC, NCC, Ph.D. candidate in counselor education and supervision at The Pennsylvania State University.

Lynn Pierce has clinical experience with trauma, sexual and affectional minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Much of her interest is in how intersecting identities may impact marginalized and minority individuals. Pierce identifies as a disabled academic and has work history in student disability services and universal design learning instruction. She is a frequent guest lecturer and presenter on topics such as disability identity and community, language and disability, and accessible instruction.