CDS is seeking individuals with disabilities and family members of individuals with disabilities to help students in the minor’s capstone course, Senior Seminar, learn first-hand about living with a disability.

You would serve as a “focus person” for a small group of students. As part of their coursework, they would spend time getting to know you and interviewing you about your goals, challenges you’ve faced and issues that have a substantial impact on your life.

Typically, you would meet for three 20-60 minute interviews over the course of two months during the fall or spring semester. The students would work with you to find mutually convenient times and locations.

Toward the end of the semester, students write a paper connecting insights from these conversations to major themes of the course, such as the way people with disabilities choose to shape their identities, how society perceives disability and how misunderstandings about disability can lead to accessibility barriers in school, work and other parts of life. Students also create a multimedia presentation, a “story” about their “focus person,” to present to classmates and instructors. These multimedia projects are presented and viewed only in the Senior Seminar.

The perspective of volunteers sharing lived experiences is crucial to our students’ growth as disability advocates and leaders. If you are interested, please consider completing the application and contact Debby Boyer at dboyer@udel.edu or by phone at 302-831-3503.