Conference examines future of disability studies

The New Directions in Disability Studies Conference 2025 gives UC affiliates and the Cincinnati community an opportunity to engage with emerging research, thoughtful discussions and practices shaping the future of disability studies. 

The two-day event will be held at the Edwards Center on UC’s Uptown Campus, bringing together students, scholars, faculty, and community members. Put on by a range of centers and colleges at UC, this conference highlights how disability studies continue to evolve and reflect the world around us, emphasizing lived experiences and academic practices.  

About one in four people will become disabled before they retire. Many others face short-term disabilities in their lifetimes.

“The main goal is to ask: what are the new directions for disability studies and for the disability community?” said Cheli Reutter, co-director of UC’s Disability Studies undergraduate certificate in the College of Arts and Sciences. “The field is rooted in the lived experiences and creative knowledge of disabled people.”

The conference features panels, roundtables, and presentations that explore disability studies through historical, cultural, and artistic perspectives. 

“It’s not just about providing services or accommodations,” Reutter said. “Disability studies [are] about centering disabled people’s voices, narratives, and creative expressions—it’s about knowledge production.”

Sessions will cover topics such as disability justice, accessibility, sexuality, family experiences, art, and activism. This conference is free for UC affiliates, but you must register by October 6 to receive lunch on either day of the conference.

“We may not get everything perfect, but we’re being thoughtful and intentional,” Reutter said of the conference’s accessibility planning. “The goal is to make sure people feel included—whether that’s through ASL interpretation, accessible food, or community outreach.”

The New Direction for Disability Studies Conference is more than an academic event – it's a space for collaboration, reflection and action. By bringing together different voices and lived experiences, this conference challenges attendees to imagine new and bright futures for everyone.  

Featured image at top: Aerial view of UC's uptown campus. Photo/Provided