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Student group Disability Justice at Michigan outlines campus disability education, culture and policy work
Summary
Tess Kerrickner of the University of Michigan's Digital Accessible Futures Lab described Disability Justice at Michigan’s education, culture and policy activities, upcoming Disability Day of Mourning and curricular work in nursing courses.
Tess Kerrickner, of the University of Michigan Digital Accessible Futures Lab, presented to the commission on Feb. 19 about Disability Justice at Michigan, a student‑led group that runs education, cultural and policy activities on campus.
Kerrickner identified the group’s goals as providing disability‑focused health equity education, creating social and professional networks for disabled or chronically ill students, connecting students to internships and research opportunities, and advocating on policy matters that affect the disability community. "Disability Justice at Michigan is not only a student group, but a broader community group," Kerrickner said.
Kerrickner described projects that include curriculum integration in required nursing courses (Nursing 232 and Nursing 238), a Disability Culture anthology used in teaching, a permanent book cart at the School of Nursing funded by a DEIC grant, a film series and collaborations with campus disability and health groups. She also noted outreach that helps students find internships and programs tailored to disabled health‑care students and professionals.
Kerrickner discussed policy work, including engagement on federal issues and data collection efforts, and said the group has worked on technical standards at the School of Nursing. She announced the group’s Disability Day of Mourning event: March 28, 4 to 5 p.m. on the Diag, with ASL interpretation and CART provided.
Commissioners praised the group’s campus work and offered connections. Commissioner Zach Damon recommended the Society for Healthcare Professionals with Disabilities (disabilitysociety.org) as a resource. Several commissioners offered to help raise awareness and to connect Kerrickner with university advisory bodies and colleagues in the disability community.
Kerrickner invited commissioners and community members to attend the March 28 event and to contact the group by email or Instagram. She said the group’s activities aim to make clinical education and campus life more accessible and to expand career paths for disabled students in health professions.
Why it matters: The presentation details campus‑level education and policy work that shapes health‑care training and supports disabled students, which the commission said could inform local disability‑access conversations and partnerships.
Next steps: Commissioners offered to share contacts and to publicize the March event.
