Why Students Should Consider Disability Studies as a Major

Every fall, as students return to the classroom, thousands begin asking critical questions: What should I study? How can I make an impact? For many, Disability Studies is an answer worth considering.  

Whether you’re a high school senior choosing your next step, an undeclared college student exploring majors, or someone considering a career change, learning about Disability Studies can expand your perspective and open meaningful opportunities. Disability programs are growing in California and across the country. Now’s a great time to learn how studying disability can help you make a difference —in schools, government, healthcare, the arts, and beyond. 

Join Easterseals Southern California as we explore California colleges and universities that offer Disability Studies programs, examine how these programs deepen understanding of disability as a social, cultural, and political experience, and highlight why this knowledge is more important than ever. 

Why Disability Studies Are Important 

Disability touches nearly every community in some way—1 in 4 adults in the U.S. lives with a disability, according to the CDC. Yet historically, disability has been overlooked in college-level education. That is changing. More universities are recognizing the importance of Disability Studies, offering students the chance to explore disability as culture, identity, and a powerful lens through which to understand justice, access, and inclusion.  

Disability Studies matters because it changes how we understand people and the world around us. They show that disability isn’t about limitations – it’s about diversity, identity, and community.  

What makes Disability Studies powerful is the impact it has beyond the classroom. Graduates can apply what they learn and use these tools to advocate for accessible schools where all students—no matter their abilities—can learn, move freely, and fully participate. This means having ramps, elevators, learning tools, and support so every student feels included and can succeed. They can also work to expand opportunities in employment, housing, and community life for people with disabilities, push for inclusivity in government, and design workplaces and public spaces that welcome everyone. 

Disability education leads to stronger advocacy movements and communities where people with disabilities are heard and valued. Disability Studies gives people the tools and knowledge to make these changes possible. 

Colleges Offering Disability Studies  

• University of California, Berkeley, initiated “Disability Studies at Cal,” which led to the creation of the Disability Studies minor in 2003. The courses center around the experiences of people with disabilities through subjects like sociology, law, and public health.
• In 2007, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), established its Disability Studies minor. In Fall of 2023, UCLA became the first UC to offer Disability Studies as a major where students can study through diverse fields like arts, health sciences, and public policy to advocate for access and inclusion beyond the campus.
• In the Fall of 2024, California State University, Northridge (CSUN), launched the first disability studies minor within the California State University system (CSU). The new program developed a minor in disability studies offering three core classes and three electives that will cover disability history and identity.  
• This Fall, Loyola Marymount University (LMU) students can declare Disability Studies as a minor. With this focus, offered by the Women’s and Gender Studies department, students can learn about disability advocacy, inclusion, and social justice. 

How to Enroll in Disability Studies Programs 

Interested in Disability Studies? Start by checking your chosen college’s course catalog or the academic advising office. Many schools offer introductory courses, or informational webinars open to all students, while others might require an application or prerequisites to enroll for major or minor programs.  

Take time to connect with the program advisors or faculty that can help you tailor your path and help find resources for further support. 

Disability Studies has the potential to make a huge impact – from children and families gaining access to better education to an adult finding new independence. Easterseals Southern California sees the benefits every day.  

Learn more about Easterseals Southern California our services and programs and advocacy efforts.