Assistant Professor of American Sign Language
Disability Studies
Minor
Top 5 reasons to pursue disability studies at Goshen College
Learn to build more inclusive communities
Explore how communities, institutions and policies can become more accessible and equitable for people with disabilities.- Advocate for justice and equity
Develop the knowledge and skills to address inequities affecting people with disabilities and support meaningful social change. - Understand disability from multiple perspectives
Study the social, cultural and historical contexts of disability to better understand how society shapes experiences of ability and access. - Complement many majors and career paths
Pair the minor with fields such as education, social work, psychology, public policy or communication to strengthen your impact. - Prepare for advocacy, service and leadership roles
Graduates pursue work in disability advocacy organizations, education systems, government policy, independent living centers and higher education support services, or continue into graduate study.
Program Overview
At Goshen College, you’ll explore how disability is shaped by cultural, political, social, and historical contexts. This interdisciplinary program equips you to understand the lived experiences of people with disabilities and examine how societies define and respond to difference.
Whether you’re majoring in education, social work, psychology, communication, or another field, a Disability Studies minor will deepen your understanding of inclusion, accessibility, and equity. You’ll gain valuable insights and advocacy skills that will enhance your career and personal growth, empowering you to make a lasting impact.
The Deaf Studies major is perfect for students interested in ASL who do not want to enter the field of Sign Language interpreting. If you are interested in ASL interpreting, learn more about our Sign Language Interpreting major.
Career Paths
With a disability studies minor you could enjoy a career in state and regional disability advocacy organizations, K-12 education, local government in civil right policy, independent living centers, higher education disability resource offices and more.
You could also choose to continue your education with graduate school and study psychology, public policy, speech and hearing sciences, education and social work.
Adding a disability studies minor can enhance your qualifications for roles such as:
- Inclusive Educator
- Social Worker
- Accessibility Consultant
- Nonprofit Program Coordinator
- Mental Health Advocate
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Occupational Therapist
Explore more about the program.
If you choose to minor in disability studies, you’ll learn to advocate for the disability community, understand the social, cultural and historical perspectives of disability within society and address inequities and injustices affecting the lives of people with disabilities.
For a full list of requirements and available courses, refer to the course listing page.
Your classroom learning will be enriched by real-world experiences:
- Participate in internships that focus on disability advocacy, support services, or inclusive education
- Engage in service-learning projects and experiential components of coursework
- Collaborate with local organizations that serve people with disabilities
Learn more about our emphasis on experiential learning opportunities.
Scholarships make up a large portion of our financial aid packages, which average almost $26,000 per student (not including work-study or loans). Please visit our financial aid page for more information on available scholarships and the application process.
Colleen Geier
Professor of ASL Interpreting
