Skip to Main Content

Disability Awareness Month (October)

Library Databases

Research Areas

  • Physical accessibility 

    • Main Ideas: structural and environmental barriers to mobility
    • Keywords: disability AND physical barriers; accessibility; ADA compliance

  • Digital accessibility 

    • Main Ideas: barriers to online platforms and technologies
    • Keywords: disability AND “digital accessibility”; web accessibility; WCAG

  • Social stigma 

    • Main Ideas: negative attitudes and stereotypes about disability
    • Keywords: disability AND “social stigma”; ableism; prejudice

  • Discrimination 

    • Main Ideas: unequal treatment and exclusion across systems
    • Keywords: disability AND discrimination; systemic ableism; workplace bias

  • Social exclusion 

    • Main Ideas: isolation from community life and participation
    • Keywords: disability AND “social exclusion”; inclusion; belonging

  • Educational barriers 

    • Main Ideas: limited access and accommodations in schools
    • Keywords: disability AND “education barriers”; inclusive education

  • Employment barriers 

    • Main Ideas: workplace discrimination and lack of accommodations
    • Keywords: disability AND “employment barriers”; “workplace discrimination”; inclusive hiring

  • Healthcare disparities 

    • Main Ideas: unequal access and medical bias
    • Keywords: disability AND “healthcare disparities”; health equity

  • Financial insecurity 

    • Main Ideas: economic hardship and limited opportunities
    • Keywords: disability AND “financial insecurity”; poverty; inequality

  • Housing barriers 

    • Main Ideas: inaccessible or unaffordable housing options
    • Keywords: disability AND “housing barriers”; ADA housing; community access

  • Transportation barriers 

    • Main Ideas: limited public or private mobility options
    • Keywords: disability AND “transportation barriers”; paratransit; mobility access

  • Assistive technology 

    • Main Ideas: adaptive tools supporting participation and independence
    • Keywords: disability AND “assistive technology”; inclusive technology

  • Policy barriers 

    • Main Ideas: inadequate policy enforcement or coverage gaps
    • Keywords: disability AND “policy barriers”; disability policy; ADA compliance

  • Mental health 

    • Main Ideas: emotional well-being, stigma, and access to care
    • Keywords: disability AND “mental health”; neurodiversity; trauma-informed care

  • Inclusion and belonging 

    • Main Ideas: equitable participation in community and institutions
    • Keywords: disability AND inclusion; belonging; universal design

  • Poverty and inequality 

    • Main Ideas: links between disability, income, and structural disadvantage
    • Keywords: disability AND poverty; social safety nets

  • Systemic ableism 

    • Main Ideas: institutionalized bias and structural oppression
    • Keywords: “systemic ableism”; inequity; discrimination

  • Social model of disability 

    • Main Ideas: focus on societal barriers rather than impairment
    • Keywords: “social model of disability”; accessibility; inclusion

  • Medical model of disability 

    • Main Ideas: focus on impairment and treatment
    • Keywords: “medical model of disability”; rehabilitation; pathology

  • Disability justice 

    • Main Ideas: intersectional movement for collective liberation
    • Keywords: “disability justice”; activism; equity

  • Disability rights movement 

    • Main Ideas: advocacy for legal rights and accessibility
    • Keywords: “disability rights movement”; ADA; policy reform

  • Universal design 

    • Main Ideas: designing environments usable by everyone
    • Keywords: “universal design” AND disability; inclusive design

  • Critical disability studies 

    • Main Ideas: interdisciplinary analysis of power and identity
    • Keywords: “critical disability studies”; intersectionality; social theory