Description

This section of the careers in social justice website is dedicated to fruitful work in the field of disability justice and services. It should serve as a guide to navigate various different  experiences as well as professions that will provide for people with all kinds of intellectual or physical disabilities. We highlighted the countless educational opportunities surrounding this topic at our university, local community outreach organizations to volunteer for, and resources available for transitioning into the workforce.

Collection

Many entry level careers involving working with and alongside people with disabilities are a good fit and obtainable with almost any Bachelor's degree. These fields are looking for students with many experiences and perspectives, and every field benefits from accessibility. This section will highlight programs, degrees, and certificates offered at The University of Iowa that may offer specialization, experience and insight on the path to working with individuals with disabilities and for disability justice

Certificates

UI Reach, College of Education
Transition Certificate Program for college students with developmental, intellectual and learning disabilities
https://catalog.registrar.uiowa.edu/education/uireach/

Certificate in Disability Studies
https://catalog.registrar.uiowa.edu/liberal-arts-sciences/disability-studies/

Certificate in Critical Cultural Competence
https://catalog.registrar.uiowa.edu/liberal-arts-sciences/critical-cultural-competence/certificate/

Certificate in Social Justice and the Performing Arts
https://catalog.registrar.uiowa.edu/liberal-arts-sciences/theatre-arts/social-justice-performing-arts-certificate/#requirementstext

Certificate in Resilience and Trauma Informed Perspectives
https://catalog.registrar.uiowa.edu/liberal-arts-sciences/resilience-trauma-informed-perspectives/resilience-trauma-informed-perspectives-certificate/#requirementstext

Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy
https://catalog.registrar.uiowa.edu/university-college/nonprofit-leadership-philanthropy/#text

Certificate in Human Rights
https://uichr.uiowa.edu/academics/certificate-human-rights

Certificates offered in specific college degree programs:

Geriatric and Special Needs Dentistry, Professional Certificate
College of Dentistry
https://catalog.registrar.uiowa.edu/dentistry/geriatric-special-needs-dentistry/geriatric-special-needs-dentistry-certificate/

K-12 Equity and Inclusion, Graduate Certificate
College of Education
https://catalog.registrar.uiowa.edu/education/k-12-equity-inclusion/certificate/

Programs of Study

Social Work (Selective Program)
Website:  https://socialwork.uiowa.edu

General Catalog: https://catalog.registrar.uiowa.edu/liberal-arts-sciences/social-work/social-work-ba/

  • Bachelor of Social Work (Selective Program)
  • Master of Arts in Social Work. M.A.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work PhD
  • Combined Masters and Doctorate Program M.A. PhD

Communication Sciences and Disorders

General Catalog: https://catalog.registrar.uiowa.edu/courses/csd

Communication Sciences and Disorders Website: https://csd.uiowa.edu/clinic

  • Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science
  • Master of Arts in Speech Pathology and audiology
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Speech and Hearing Sciences
  • Doctor of Audiology, Au.D.

Interdepartmental Studies in the Applied Human Services Track

 General Catalog: https://catalog.registrar.uiowa.edu/liberal-arts-sciences/interdepartmental-studies/interdepartmental-studies-ba/#AppliedHumanServices

Bachelor of Arts in Interdepartmental Studies in the Applied Human Services Track

Therapeutic Recreation

Website: https://clas.uiowa.edu/hhp/undergraduate/bs/therapeutic-recreation

General Catalog:

  • Bachelors of Science in Therapeutic Recreation
  1. National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification Track (Selective)
  2. Inclusive Recreation Track

Careers in Therapeutic Recreation Website: https://clas.uiowa.edu/hhp/careers#collapsible-4

Occupational Therapy

  • Pre Occupational Track (Not a degree-granting major)
    • track for students who plan to attend occupational therapy school after their undergraduate studies.  Pre-OT students take a prescribed sequence of courses that prepare them for OT school, which is a 2-4 year professional program

Academic Advising Center Pre- Health, OT:

https://advisingcenter.uiowa.edu/pre-health/pre-occupational-therapy

Physical Therapy

  • Pre-Physical Therapy Track (Not a degree-granting major)

Music Therapy

Educational Policy and Leadership Studies

Counselor Education

Child Life Specialist

Ethics and Public Policy

Psychology

Disability Justice and Accessibility in Engineering

Courses at UIowa:

ENGR:7270 Engineering Ethics

ENGR:2995 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering, ENGR:4005 Developing Cultural Intelligence for STEM Leadership,

ENGR:4010 Engineering Grand Challenges Program Fellow (and ENGR:4011 & 4012)

ENGR:2995 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Engineering, ENGR:4005 Developing Cultural Intelligence for STEM Leadership,

ENGR:4010 Engineering Grand Challenges Program Fellow (and ENGR:4011 & 4012)

PSQF:6211:0EXW UNIVERSAL DESIGN & ACCESSIBILITY ONLINE

Center For Inclusive Design and Engineering at University of Colorado Boulder
https://www.ucdenver.edu/centers/center-for-inclusive-design-and-engineering

Related Minors

  • American Sign Language Minor
  • Communication studies Minor
  • Psychology Minor
  • Social Justice Minor

Student organizations and resources

  • UI Students for Disability Advocacy and Awareness
  • Active Minds
    • Strives to raise awareness and change the tone in conversations surrounding mental health
  • Best Buddies
    • Pairs students with disabilities with one-on-one friendships that can help guide them through the college experience
  • Body Image and Eating Disorder Awareness
    • Education and advocacy regarding students with eating disorders, with the goal of body acceptance and a healthy lifestyle
  • Rays of Reach
    • Student org closely tied to UI REACH, hopes of educating about the resources available as well as facilitating relationships between students inside and outside of the program
  • Transfers Leading Change
    • Org dedicated to the unique perspective of transfer students on campus in order to enhance their opportunities and experienced
  • Hawkeye Sparklers
  • https://uiowa.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/hawkeye-sparkles-university-of-iowa
    • Student org including students with and without disabilities who have a passion for dancing/cheerleading.
  • Celi-Yaks Club
    • Org for students with Celiac disease to raise awareness about the lifestyle
  • College Diabetes Network at Iowa
    • Org connecting students with Type 1 Diabetes

Volunteer experience

  • The Arc of Southeast Iowa
    • Their Mission: “To foster communities of respect and inclusion for people of all abilities through advocacy, support, and service.”
    • Volunteer opportunities include: Camp/group programming, “Sibship”, daycare, fundraisers, etc.
    • https://www.arcsei.org/volunteer/

  • Extend the Dream Foundation
    • Non-profit org with the purpose of serving people with disabilities through community projects including:
    • Uptown Bill’s Media Project
    • Local Radio Project
    • Bookstore
    • Volunteer opportunities are always welcome at the coffee house and bookstore
    • https://uptownbills.org/volunteers/

Job Ideas

  • Administrative assistant on a nonprofit team
  • Paraprofessional
  • Employment Specialist/Career consultant for people with disabilities
  • Case Manager
  • Social Worker
  • Rehab center employee
  • Transitions Specialist
  • Direct Support Professional
  • Certified Nursing Assistant
  • Rehabilitation/Day program coordinator
  • Working in Supported Community Living
  • Accommodations
  • Disability Rights Lawyer
  • Access Consultant
  • Universal Design Engineer

UI Reach

  • Transition program for students with cognitive and learning disabilities, provides a caring environment for young adults to work towards a career that will work for them.
  • https://education.uiowa.edu/reach

Job Search Engines

Relevant Organizations

  • Childserve
  • Brain Injury Alliance
  • Systems Unlimited
  • Community NeuroRehab of Iowa
  • Sevita
  • Reach For Your Potential
  • Goodwill of the Heartlands
  • The Arc of Southeast Iowa
  • Successful Living
  • NAMI Johnson County
  • Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services

LinkedIn http://LinkedIn.com

Resumes (Pomerantz Career Center)

Informational Interviews: Informational Interviews can provide a great opportunity for you to get a deeper look into the field of your choice. Along with that, you can learn more about different positions, what experience to seek, etc. Reminder that these are not meant to be job interviews or ways to find job opportunities but rather a conversation.

Support for UIowa Students with Disabilities

  • Student Disability Services: https://sds.studentlife.uiowa.edu
    • Tutoring
    • Accommodations
    • Advocacy
    • Testing Center
  • UI Students for Disability Advocacy and Awareness: https://uisdaa.org.uiowa.edu
    • Student organization for disabled students and their allies
    • Provide a supportive space
    • Leadership opportunities
    • Raise disability awareness on campus
    • Create tangible changes surrounding disability-related issues at the University Level