Center for Disabilities Studies

Funding Boost As part of the federal government’s omnibus bill passed in March 2022, the University of Delaware has received $12 million for research, workforce and development. The Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) Assistive Technology Resource Centers, led by Center for Disabilities Studies Director Beth Mineo, are among the projects receiving funding.

Excellence in Autism Support Award Goes to Delaware UCEDD Research Manager For her “Outstanding Research on Autism in Higher Education,” Jessica Monahan, research manager with the University of Delaware Center for Disabilities Studies’ Spectrum Scholars program, has won an inaugural Excellence in Autism Support award from the College Autism Network.

Disability rights advocates say new funding for transit access is critical: ‘Transportation is the key to everything’ Center for Disabilities Studies Director Beth Mineo and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg discuss the need for accessible transportation after President Biden signed federal infrastructure legislation allocating $1.75 billion for accessible transit station upgrades. Some 20 percent of stations nationally reportedly don’t meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Staying socially connected through assistive technology No matter where she is, Anna Sabo stays connected to family and friends, chatting with her cousin via FaceTime during a road trip to Wyoming, singing along with musicals, and attending dance classes via Zoom. Anna, 11, obtained the technology she needs to keep in touch through the Center for Disabilities Studies’ CSI Delaware program.

UD’s Spectrum Scholars program seeks to create career opportunities A major focus of the program, which is administered by the Center for Disabilities Studies, is career development. That’s because young people with autism are underrepresented in the workforce.