In 2024, Michigan State University hosted its first Disability Summit and since it has become an annual part of the university's landscape. We are excited to announce the theme of this year’s Disability Summit as the Future of Disability in Higher Education. In years past we have examined the history and current lived experience of disability in higher education and now we shift our focus towards the future. We look forward to providing a space for the MSU community to come together and discuss possibilities for a future that is truly disability-centered.
The Disability Summit included a keynote presentation and a panel featuring disabled student, faculty, and staff. We also featured presentations, flash talks, poster presentations, panel discussions, and workshops. We hope these varying sessions will encourage broadened dialogue across the MSU community.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Sami Schalk (she/her) is a Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She earned her BA in English (Creative Writing) and Women’s Studies from Miami University, her MFA in Creative Writing (Poetry) from the University of Notre Dame, and her PhD in Gender Studies from Indiana University.
Dr. Schalk’s interdisciplinary research focuses broadly on disability, race, and gender in contemporary American literature and culture. She has published on literature, film, and material culture in a variety of peer-reviewed humanities journals. For a detailed list of publications and awards, see Dr. Schalk’s CV (PDF).
Dr. Schalk also writes for mainstream outlets. She identifies as a fat, Black, queer, disabled femme and a pleasure activist.
Featured Artist Showcase
Discover the creativity and talent of MSU's disabled students through a collection of original art and poetry. These powerful works share unique perspectives, personal stories, and creative expressions that celebrate disability, identity, and belonging within our campus community. Let their voices inspire, challenge, and connect us.
Experience the energy, ideas, and impact of the Disability Summit. Whether you attended the event or are joining us for the first time, we invite you to watch the recording and discover the discussions, perspectives, and stories that are helping build a more accessible and inclusive community.
- Opening Remarks - 0.0
- Keynote Speaker - 15:46
- Faculty and Student Panel - 1:46:00
- Afternoon Welcome
- Unmasking Student Success, Neurodiversity, Dignity, and What
Higher Education Needs to Become 0:37:52 - Entitled Disability Communications - 1:39:24
- Disabled Futurity, A Landscape of Accessibly - 2:37:19
- Closing Remarks - 3:39:20
We offered webinars throughout October to continue the dialogue during our celebration of Disability Pride month.
- Beyond Compliance: Disability Justice, Dignified Supervision, and Building Workplaces Where Everyone Can Do Their Best Work
- Disability in Med School: Supporting Medical Students in the Boards Accommodations Process
- Embracing Slowness: Our Futures of Disability Justice
Read about the Disability Summit in MSU Today
Watch the coverage of the Disability Summit on Lansing's WLNS TV
Stay informed by joining the Disability Connection email listserv. To subscribe, send an email to listserv@list.msu.edu and include the following command in the body of the message (leave the subject line blank): SUBSCRIBE MSU-DISABILITY-CONNECTION