Center on Disability Studies

1410 Lower Campus Road, Bldg 171F
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-5850
Email: cdsinfo@hawaii.edu
Web: coe.hawaii.edu/cds/

Certificate Faculty

C. Hitchcock, PhD—evidence-based practices for families in literacy/learning, professional development for classroom teachers, and the use of technology to enhance learning
H. Manaseri, PhD—disability studies, culturally responsive teaching and learning, educational leadership development, inclusive practices, and community and family
K. L. Murphy, DPE, CAPE—physical education pedagogy, adapted physical education
H. J. Park, EdD—evaluation, gifted education, twice exceptionality, culturally responsive education, STEM and work-based education, transition
R. Raphael, PhD—film, disability studies, educational technology, oral history, inclusive education
K. Takahashi, PhD—learning disabilities, assistive technology, STEM education, inclusive practices and UDL, multiculturalism/culturally responsive education, transition, and international disability issues

The Academic Program

The Center on Disability Studies (CDS) is a UH Board of Regents recognized organized research unit (ORU) focused on interdisciplinary education, community service and technical assistance, research and evaluation, and information dissemination. CDS was established in 1987 as the Hawaiʻi University Affiliated Program, and now the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) authorized under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (DD Act). CDS houses two of the 68 UCEDDs across the nation. This national network of university centers focuses on education, research, and service activities, which impact the quality of life of persons with disabilities across the nation. Beginning in 1988 with core funding of only $250,000 and a staff of four, CDS has leveraged resources to its current level of funding of 10 to 15 million dollars per year, with approximately 40 projects and 150 staff members, including faculty, staff, graduate assistants, student assistants, casual hires and other temporary hires.

CDS conducts a wide range of education, research, and service activities in collaboration with other academic disciplines (e.g., Public Health, Law, Social Work, Business, Psychology, Political Science, etc.) for the community and for the University. These activities are centered around several initiative areas: school and community inclusion; special health needs; transition, postsecondary education, and employment; mental health; STEM education, and Pacific outreach. These initiative areas reflect a commitment to evidence-based practice and interdisciplinary cooperation within academic, community, and family contexts. Activities strive to be culturally sensitive and demonstrate honor and respect for individual differences in behavior, attitudes, beliefs, and interpersonal styles. CDS activities reflect an organizational commitment to the communities we serve through excellence and evidence-based practices. Faculty and staff are mentored, supported, and encouraged to excel.

CDS also runs a 15-credit interdisciplinary graduate certificate program in disability and diversity studies to promote effective, efficient, and culturally sensitive services for persons with disabilities of all ages. Students participate in diverse learning experiences with the goals of acquiring skills in joint planning, decision-making, and goal setting and of understanding contemporary disability issues, research, and effective practices from a social, political, cultural and historical context. CDS also offers undergraduate students courses in disability studies, disability culture, and creating universally designed environments. Learn more and apply at: https://coe.hawaii.edu/cds/programs/ds-cert/.

In addition to research and academic courses, each year, CDS sponsors the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity (Pac Rim), to promote international collaboration and to impact the lives of persons with disabilities. Pac Rim focuses on disseminating information on promising practices, evidence-based research, and emerging issues with the communities it serves. This conference has been held annually since 1986, with attendance from state, regional, national, and international communities. Special efforts are made to provide support to enable persons with disabilities, self-advocates, parents, and family members of persons with disabilities to attend.

CDS also publishes an international scholarly publication in the field of disability studies, Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal (RDS). RDS is an internationally-focused academic journal in the field of Disability Studies, containing research articles, essays, bibliographies, and reviews of materials relating to the culture of disability and people with disabilities. It also publishes special issues on disability topics brought together by guest editors of international stature. Peer reviewed and open access, RDS publishes four issues a year in electronic format.

Programs

Graduate Certificate

Disability and Diversity Studies, Certificate