Wyoming Institute for Disabilities

Assistant Professor:

MICHELLE JARMAN, B.A. University of California at Berkeley 1989; M.A. Northern Michigan University 2000; Ph.D. University of Illinois at Chicago 2006; Assistant Professor of Disability Studies 2007.

Academic Professional/Senior Lecturer:

KENNETH B. HEINLEIN, B.S. University of Wyoming 1975; M.A. Colorado State University 1979; Ph.D. 1994; Academic Professional/Senior Lecturer 2001, 1995.

Academic Professional/Assistant Lecturer:

Advisory Committee:
Beverly Sullivan, Chair; Interim Dean, College of Health Sciences
Thomas Buchanan, President, University of Wyoming
Shannon Buller, Executive Director, Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities

William A. Gern, Vice President, Research

Martin Agran, College of Education
Susan Bentley, Family Specialist, UPLIFT
Karen Bowyer, Administrative Assistant, WIND

Peg Brown-Clark, Director, Special Education Unit, Wyoming Department of EducationCliff Mikesell, Developmental Disabilities Division, State of Wyoming
Kendall Corbett, Coordinator, Consumer Activities, WIND
Dorothy Cronin, Executive Director, Brain Injury Association of Wyoming

Deborah Fleming, Clinical Professor of Geriatrics, College of Health Sciences

George Garcia, Self-advocate

Jeff Gardner, Vice President, ARK Industries and Rehabilitation Center
Fred Lamb, Self-advocate

Richard Leslie, Self-advocate

Jim McIntosh, Administrator, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, State of Wyoming

Brenda Oswald, CEO/President, Alliance for Self Determination, Inc.
Lori Regnier, Advocate, Protection and Advocacy Systems, Inc.

Mary Comin, Accounts Manager, WIND

The Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND) is part of a national network of University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (UCEDD). These centers provide a broad array of interdisciplinary academic, clinical, and research experiences of people with disabilities—particularly developmental disabilities. A wide variety of disciplines contribute to the study of disabilities.

WIND courses examine the historical, cultural, and contemporary experiences of people with disabilities from an interdisciplinary developmental perspective. Students will gain knowledge of the purpose that education, technology, and community supports play in the lives of people with disabilities. This program is intended to complement the degrees of those who also have an interest in disability issues.

WIND offers a disability studies minor which is a multidisciplinary approach to examining the interplay between the lived experience of disability and the social construct of disability. The minor provides a balance between theory and practical hands-on application. Students will gain a broad understanding of disability issues, rather than specific disciplinary skills and techniques. The minor consists of 18 credit hours. Specific information about the disability studies minor may be obtained by calling (307)766-5060 or visiting the WIND office located in the Health Sciences Building, room 147.

Learning Outcomes

We expect that students who complete the Disability Studies minor will have:

• Improved understanding of contextual and cultural issues surrounding disability;

• Improved understanding of the history of disability movements, including legislation, litigation, laws, and protests;

• Improved skills in working with individuals with disabilities; • Increased knowledge of types and causes of various disabilities;

• Improved knowledge of local, state, and national supports and services available to people with disabilities;

• Improved knowledge of the impact of disability within families and recognition of family strengths and resources;

• Increased knowledge of the careers related to working with people with disabilities;

• Increased understanding of the impact of cultural and personal attitudes toward disabilities.

Wyoming Institute for Disabilities (WIND) course

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Please send comments or questions to registrar@uwyo.edu

Last Change: 02/23/09