MDisability Community Building
Established in 2019, MDisability has since expanded its presence by getting out into the community to spread the word more widely about its mission to improve the primary care of people with disabilities through medical education, research, clinical care and community partnerships, and bring a greater influence on the local community and beyond.
MDisability members have participated in Michigan Medicine-supported events, such as Researchpalooza; U-M's National Disability Employment Awareness Month Kick-off and Resource Fair, Disability Health Grand Rounds for the Department of Family Medicine, and Special Olympics of Michigan's Pre-Season Prep Day and MedFest.
MDisability spreads word among community members at U-M and beyond
Adaptive Sports
Established in 2018, the Adaptive Sports program promotes awareness, knowledge, access, and participation in adaptive sports among individuals with and without disabilities, both on campus and in the greater Ann Arbor community. Adaptive sports, which include modified versions of traditional sports like wheelchair basketball and tennis, as well as uniquely designed sports such as goalball, enable equitable participation for people with disabilities. The program is recognized for its four competitive teams—Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Rugby, Wheelchair Tennis, and Adaptive Track & Field—and leads two community-based initiatives to expand engagement and support the continued growth of adaptive sports locally and beyond.
Deaf Health Talks
Deaf Health Talks are regular, virtual live stream health education monthly events hosted by MDisability at the U-M Medical School for Deaf signers, with available closed captions for non-signers. These presentations, covering current health topics, are given mainly by different Deaf health experts' education forums in ASL to generate an accessible health education platform for Deaf and hard of hearing community members. These presentations are free, open to the public and provide opportunities for community members to ask questions in an interactive question-and-answer forum.
Docs with Disabilities Podcast
The Docs with Disabilities Initiative (DWDI) leverages research, education, leadership and storytelling to transform perceptions, and influence disability policy and practices within health professions, biomedical and science education. The initiative seeks to build more inclusive educational environments for trainees with disabilities and increase representation of disabled clinicians and scientists in the biomedical workforce. Through its programs, DWDI challenges bias and discrimination, fosters belonging and ensures that diverse perspectives shape its efforts in research, mentorship and leadership development. The DWDI podcast aims to highlight disability stories and research while providing valuable education for Disability Resource professionals, faculty, administrators and students.
