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Chris Krentz A&S DSI
Welcome to UVA’s Disability Studies Initiative!

We’re a group of faculty from across the university committed to exploring the social and cultural aspects of disability. We believe that disability is a fascinating aspect of human diversity. It’s something we want to learn about and learn from. We bring together a range of scholarly interests and methodologies in an interdisciplinary effort to think about disability in new and interesting ways. We regularly host disability-focused events, so watch this space for updates.

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Molly Joyce music with disability in mind UVA A&S
Welcome to UVA’s Disability Studies Initiative!

We’re a group of faculty from across the university committed to exploring the social and cultural aspects of disability. We believe that disability is a fascinating aspect of human diversity. It’s something we want to learn about and learn from. We bring together a range of scholarly interests and methodologies in an interdisciplinary effort to think about disability in new and interesting ways. We regularly host disability-focused events, so watch this space for updates.

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DSI Illustration
IHGC Disability Studies Lab (DisStL)

Beginning in Fall 2026, UVA's Institute for Humanities and Global Cultures will sponsor a Disability Studies Lab! 

The Disability Studies Lab (DiStL) works to distill the insights of disability studies into actionable pathways for disability inclusion and institutional transformation. DisStL is bringing together faculty, students, and staff from across Grounds to establish persistent networks and infrastructures for the study and experience of disability at the University of Virginia.

DiStL is led by Elizabeth Ellcessor (Media Studies), Martina Svyantek (Libraries), and Paul Dobryden (German). Sabrina Sebastian San-Miguel serves as a graduate student representative. DiStL can be reached at distl-lab @ virginia . edu. 

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Disability Conference UVA A&S
IHGC Disability Studies Lab (DisStL)

Beginning in Fall 2026, UVA's Institute for Humanities and Global Cultures will sponsor a Disability Studies Lab! 

The Disability Studies Lab (DiStL) works to distill the insights of disability studies into actionable pathways for disability inclusion and institutional transformation. DisStL is bringing together faculty, students, and staff from across Grounds to establish persistent networks and infrastructures for the study and experience of disability at the University of Virginia.

DiStL is led by Elizabeth Ellcessor (Media Studies), Martina Svyantek (Libraries), and Paul Dobryden (German). Sabrina Sebastian San-Miguel serves as a graduate student representative. DiStL can be reached at distl-lab @ virginia . edu. 

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Screen Reader for disability UVA A&S
Welcome to UVA’s Disability Studies Initiative!

We’re a group of faculty from across the university committed to exploring the social and cultural aspects of disability. We believe that disability is a fascinating aspect of human diversity. It’s something we want to learn about and learn from. We bring together a range of scholarly interests and methodologies in an interdisciplinary effort to think about disability in new and interesting ways. We regularly host disability-focused events, so watch this space for updates.