Disability and Inclusion Studies

Study Disability and Inclusion Studies at Waikato and engage in developing your knowledge and skills of this specialised field by drawing on national and international contemporary theory, policy and practice. The lived experiences of people with a disability underpin the teaching and learning in this subject.

Each of the three qualifications available in this subject, the Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Disability and Inclusion Studies, draw on a social interactional model of disability that critically engages with questions of identity, ableism and rights through tackling key questions of inclusion in research, policy and practice.

Students interested in shaping social change in disability and inclusion, through inclusive research and innovative co-developed policy and practice, will gain skills and knowledge accessing leading national and international thinkers and practitioners. Pathways into further research, academic careers in teaching and research, policy leadership and advocacy are created through this course.

As a graduate, you will demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of concepts, issues and debates in the area of disability studies, particularly in your own research. Thinking critically and creatively, you will evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in the field of disability studies and work proactively to develop professional relationships with others in the field.