Accessibility and Disability Studies

Topics may focus on any factor related to accessibility or disability, such as the following:

• Accessible Places
• Accessible Communication
• Accessible & Assistive Technology
• Disability Experiences
• Advocacy and Awareness
• Policy
• Representation
• Other

There is great flexibility in method as long as the approach is grounded in authoritative literature thoughtfully applied, for example the following types of projects and investigations:

• Descriptive research
• Product comparison (consumer report)
• White Paper (literature review)
• Survey or Human Subjects Perception
• Policy Analysis
• Historical Study
• Autoethnography
• Educational Resource
• Other

The undergraduate and graduate learning outcomes share a knowledge base, with graduate investigations demonstrating greater depth, breadth, and integration.

ASP 485 Learning Outcomes

485.01. Investigate real-world scenarios for high-incidence accessibility issues.

485.02. Analyze real-world scenarios for compliance with accessibility laws and policies.

485.03. Design a solution to improve accessibility in a realistic context for realistic people with high incidence disabilities

485.04. Produce a portfolio of evidence demonstrating competence to analyze accessibility issues and recommend solutions compliant with standards appropriate to the context.

485.05. Demonstrate clear communication strategies and techniques in oral and/or written form.

ASP 585 Learning Outcomes

585.01 Investigate real-world scenarios for high-incidence accessibility issues.

585.02  Analyze real-world scenarios for compliance with accessibility laws and policies.

585.03  Design a solution to improve accessibility in a realistic context for realistic people with high incidence disabilities.

585.04 Produce a portfolio of evidence demonstrating competence to analyze accessibility issues and recommend solutions compliant with standards appropriate to the context.

585.05 Demonstrate clear communication strategies and techniques in oral and/or written form at a graduate level.

The first cohort to complete an undergraduate program of Accessibility Studiescompleted projects in August 2017. When Central Washington University adopted a new General Education Program, the ASP capstone was aligned with the Culminating Experience requirement. The first Graduate Certificate in Accessibility Studies was completed in by Dr. Amanda Rosenzweig in 2021. As of Fall 2024, the program was renamed Accessibility and Disability Studies.

The following capstone projects were completed in 2024. They were honored in a celebration June 5, 2024. View the recording.

Undergraduate Minor and Certificate

1. Barriers to Diagnosis for Genderqueer Autistics Assigned Female at Birth. Christina-Marie “CM” Wright (Psychology Major; Deaf & Sign Language Studies Major; Accessibility Studies Minor; Anthropology Minor).
2. Pacific Prevocational School and the Rise of Special Education in Seattle, 1946-75. Nick Bodemer (Law & Justice Major; Public Health Minor; Accessibility Studies Minor).
3. Accessible Design Audit of Central Washington University Resident Halls. Madi Hart (Psychology Major; Accessibility Studies Minor). 
4. Intersections between Information Technology and Creating an Accessible User Experience. Rosalie L Madison (ITAM Major; Accessibility Studies Minor).
5. Emergency Alert Systems in Public Accommodations: Accessibility for the Deaf Community. Holli Stemm-Walden (Deaf & Sign Language Studies Major;
6. Inclusive Education: Universal Design in the Elementary Classroom Environment. Jenni Silito (Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Major; Psychology Minor; Accessibility Studies Minor).
7. Intersectionality of Gender and Accessibility: Gender-neutral Restrooms. Jess Eavenson (Psychology Major; American Sign Language Minor; Accessibility Studies Minor).
8. The Accessibility of Downtown Ellensburg: From Parking to Business Entrances. Justin McCullough (Psychology Major; Accessibility Studies Minor).
9. Inclustriments: Making Instruments More Inclusive. Louis Sanchez. (Psychology Major; Accessibility Studies Minor).

Graduate Certificate

• Digital Accessibility: The Advantage of Testing Digital Product by Multiple Methods. Iwona Kubik (Information Technology).
   

1. Brooks Library Accessible Signage and Wayfinding for Emergency Egress of Person with Disabilities - Bella Brownlee (Sociology/ Accessibility Studies Minor/Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Minor)
2. The Ableism Experienced by People with Invisible Disabilities: A Comparative Autoethnography - Alex Coffel (Biology (BA)/Deaf and Sign Language Studies/Accessibility Studies Minor)
3. Current Practices and Resources at Sunnyside School District for Children with Severe Behavior Autism - Kasey Evans (Psychology/Accessibility Studies Minor)
4. Use and Accessibility of Ergonomic Grips in the Elementary Band Setting: A Literature Review - Fin Garcia (Music Education (BMUS)/Accessibility Studies Minor/Secondary Education)
5. Experiences of Autistic Musicians in Large University Ensembles – Andrea Hernandez (Music Education/ Accessibility Studies Minor)
6. Strategies for Accessible Means of Egress for WorkSource Customers with Vision, Hearing, and Mobility Impairments during and Emergency Evacuation - Mallory Huerta (Accessibility Studies Graduate Certificate)
7. Disability Representation in a Mexican Telenovela - Martha Macias (Psychology/Accessibility Studies Minor)
8. Accessibility Review of a Recently Renovated Historic School Building: ADA is Not Enough - Stephanie Reich (Sociology/ Accessibility Studies Minor/Ethnic Studies)
9. How accessible is Israel for tourists who are wheelchair users? - Robyn Saunders (IS:  Soc Sci /Accessibility Studies Minor)
10. Deaf Accessibility Currently at the White River Amphitheater and Future Program Recommendations - Simonne Shires (Psychology/Accessibility Studies Minor/Women's, Gender, and Sexuality)
11. Non-Apparent Disabilities: Invisible Even to Medical Professionals - Abygahle Stumpf (Psychology/ Accessibility Studies Minor)
12. Occupational Therapy Education: Admission Barriers Facing Disabled Students in Washington State – Lynn Swedberg (Accessibility Studies Graduate Certificate)
13. A Multi-year, Universally Designed Curriculum for Students with Disabilities Targeting Self-Awareness and Self-Advocacy Skills - Laurel Weber (Curriculum and Instruction/Accessibility Studies Graduate Certificate)
14. Ellensburg DEI Commission Meetings & Accessibility - Elliott Watkins (Media and Journalism Major/Accessibility Studies Minor)
15. Wayfinding for Neurology Patients at Central Washington Hospital - Christina-Marie (CM) Wright (Psychology/ Accessibility Studies Minor/Anthropology/American Sign Language)
16. Communication in the Deaf Community - Ivan Alfaro (Deaf and Sign Language Studies/Accessibility Studies Minor)
17. My ADHD Journey Compared to Other Men and Women with ADHD - Micayla Berry (Psychology/ Accessibility Studies Minor)
18. A Study of Horseshoe Lake County Park Accessibility - Sierra Martin (Psychology /Social Services (BS)/Accessibility Studies Minor)
19. Accessible Parking of Historic Downtown Ellensburg - Justin McCullough (Psychology /Accessibility Studies Minor)
20. Beginning the Journey with the Help of Access Services  - Nineth Alvarez Lopez  
21. School District Accessibility for Children with Disabilities and their Immigrant Families - James Richmond  
22. The Evacuation of Minor-aged Students with Mobility Impairments in Multistory School Buildings  - Chelsea Rivas         
23. Beginning the Journey: Special Education Transitioning in Kittitas County - Kayla Nancarrow 
24. Accessibility in City Parks - Jazmin Quinones 
25. International Disabled Adoptees Path to Higher Education - Kaily Baulaureier
26. Identifying Roadblocks to the Hiring of People with Exceptionalities - Alex Cheesman
27. How to Look Disabled Enough: An Exploration of Stigma and Invisible Disabilities - Kenny Dalton
28. Accessible Design on Mobile Apps for Elders - Han Jiang
29. Finding Employment Accessibility for People with Intellectual Disabilities - Michael Riggin 
30. Sensory Accommodation in a Museum - Caryn Boehm   
31. The Experience of Living with an Adult Child with Autism and Mental Illness - Anna Cairns   
32. "A Missing Piece”, a Book about the Disorder of Agenesis and the Corpus Callosum - Katheryn Clark 
33. Lesson Plans to Teach Elementary Students about Accessibility - Emma Cottle   
34. School District Classified Staff and Awareness of Disabilities - Laura Evans   
35. Curriculum for Disability Awareness: Reducing the Stigma of Disability though Education - Brittney Lautenslager   
36. Accessibility at White River Ampitheatre - Meredith Lanthorn 
37. An Expanding Workforce and Promoting Inclusion  - Luca Straka    
38. Comparison of Chinese and American Elementary Schools - Ashley VanHorn   
39. Accessibility with CWU Engagement Opportunities - Annie Young  
40. Employer Support for Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Life - Sarah Bluher
41. Transitioning to College with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - Robert Bolger
42. Do Medicare- and Medicaid-Issue Wheelchairs Contribute to Keeping People Homebound? - Angela Congdon
43. Recursos y Entendimiento a la Discapacidad (Resources and Understanding of Disability) - Stephanie Lopez
44. The Extent Deafness is Mentioned in Elementary Education Courses at Central Washington University -Megan Marshall
45. Effects of the Pandemic on Services Provided to Quinault Nation Elders  - Kristeen Mowitch
46. The Accessibility of Kittitas Valley Math Circles Lessons -Sam Wilson
47. Accessibility Awareness in CWU’s Dietetic Curriculum.  – Nicole Gibson
48. Accessibility Universal Design for Learning Training for Faculty using the Canvas Learning Management System - Bridget Irish    
49. How Academic Libraries Can Improve Accessibility for Employees with Invisible Disabilities - Tasha Robertson
50. The Gender Bias in Diagnosing ADHD and Lasting Impacts It Has Had Upon the Lives of Women -Sara Cannarella
51. Current Social Media Pages focused on ADHD Awareness - Alexa Stewart
52. How Invisible Disabilities Affect College Student Participation in School-Sponsored Events - Ellie Chaffin
53. The Accessibility of the Sequim McDonald’s PlayPlace - Annie Guthrie
54. Accessible Design in Water Parks - Patience Pruitt
55. Accessibility in Daycares - Teresa Olarte
56. Open Up a World of Possibilities for Your Deaf Child Through ASL Immersion - Kate Anderson
57. Changing How Music is Viewed with Subtitles and ASL Interpreters - Samantha Stevens
58. The Accessibility of Drive-Thru Restaurants for People with Visual and Communicative Disabilities - Toby Gordon
59. Are Future High School Coaches Adequately Prepared to Involve Students with Disabilities? - Trevor Barger
60. StrongMind: A Program to Alleviate Engagement Problems of Remote Learning in a Challenging High School - Alyssa Howard
61. The Accessibility of Pandemic-era Communication from a School District Before-and-After School Care Program - Laura Korsgaard
62. An Accessibility Review of Kiwi Loco, Pocatello ID. Alexander Short (Safety and Health Management Major; Accessibility Studies Minor) 2018.
63. CWU Web App Accessibility. Humberto Avila (Instructional Foundations Major; Information Systems Minor; Special Education Minor; Accessibility Studies Minor) 2017
64. The Accessibility of Wild Waves and Enchanted Village Theme Park. Moira Brenner. 2017
65. Review of the Yakima SunDome for Accessibility of People with Disabilities.Patricia Dailey (Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Major; Psychology Minor; Accessibility Studies Minor). 2017
66. The Accessibility of Paul Rumberg School, Entiat, Washington. Debra Porrovecchio (Interdisciplinary Studies, Social Sciences Major; Accessibility Studies Minor).2017