KNES 389: TerpAccess Disability Network
In 2014 Dr. Ana Palla-Kane and myself were successful in procuring a Moving Maryland Forward Grant. With this support from the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Maryland College Park, we implemented a course and programming to train students to promote disability advocacy and awareness.
Course Description
The TerpAccess Disability Network an independent study course within the department of Kinesiology, available to both majors and non-majors who are interested in the subject of disability awareness and advocacy. The TerpAccess project is funded through a Moving Maryland Grant supplied by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. This mission of this project grant was to increase awareness and advocacy for people with disabilities within the campus community. This mission goal has been translated to a half semester course with service-learning opportunities embedded within the course content. Students will learn about the different ways of conceptualizing disability in the contemporary moment and help apply their skills through the development of a training module for the larger campus entitled Disability Advocacy and Awareness Training (DAAT).
Learning Objectives
- Learn about the different ways disability is viewed/understood in contemporary society
- Apply course concepts to the development of a training module for the campus community
- Participate in service-learning opportunities to demonstrate understanding of disability advocacy
Course Format
- Independent study including reading and events outside of the classroom
- Traditional lecture style face-to-face bi-weekly meetings with students
- Several Service-learning opportunities
Pedagogies
In-person meetings are meant to augment the online readings offered through the course, this provides a time to check-in with students to expand upon core concepts and to discuss the service-learning opportunities available to them.
Learning Assessment
- Two Discussion Papers
- Two Assignments
- Reflection paper based on service-learning events
Stephanie J. Cork 