Welcome to the APSA Committee on the Status of Disability in the Profession’s website. The committee monitors the status of political scientists with disability at all levels; advances research on disability as well as on issues of particular relevance to disability; develops and promotes curriculum materials on disability; works to ensure fair and equal treatment of disabled people throughout the profession.
Upcoming Events
Travel Grant Opportunity: APSA Working Group on “Reimaging Accessibility within the Discipline” at the 2026 APSA Annual Meeting | Application Deadline: May 15, 2026
The APSA Status Committee on Disability in the Profession is holding a Working Group on “Reimagining Accessibility within the Discipline” at the 2026 Annual Meeting in Boston!
The Working Group, comprised of 20 scholars including at least 6 early-career scholars, will meet during the course of the 2026 APSA Annual Meeting in Boston, MA (exact days and times TBD; more information late Spring 2026.) Each session will be 90 minutes long and include discussions on accessibility in the discipline, disclosure, requesting accommodations, self-advocacy, and more.
If you are interested in participating in the working group onsite in Boston, please fill out the application. There will be six $1,000 travel grants awarded to early career scholars to attend the Annual Meeting and participate in the working group. If you are interested in being considered for the travel grant, please fill out the appropriate section on the application.
Please reach out to bdames@apsanet.org with any questions or concerns. Decisions about working group participation will be emailed in June 2026.
Application Deadline: May 15, 2026. Apply Here!
Vision Statement
Guided by a commitment to disability justice and equity, the committee’s goal is to build a vision for the discipline of political science where disability is actively valued as a dimension of diversity. Although this list is by no means exhaustive, we envision a discipline where:
- Faculty and students are empowered to disclose their disabilities– free from stigma and discrimination– and lead conversations about their needs and interests
- Accessibility is a forethought, not an afterthought, in planning and design processes for professional conferences; all buildings, programs, and services should be usable for all people, to the greatest extent possible
- Faculty and students who care for and assist people with disabilities receive support and accommodations for care work
- Departments actively recruit and retain graduate students and faculty members with disabilities, providing supports and services at all levels of the career stage
- There are opportunities for scholars working on disability-related research to gather, network, and collaborate
- Research on disability is supported by grant funding and published in mainstream political science journals
- Syllabi and teaching materials across all subfields integrate disability-related political research and issues into mainstream political science course materials
Recent News and Events
Relevant Events and Programs Around the Discipline
APSA Mentoring Program
The APSA Mentoring Program connects undergraduate, graduate students, and junior faculty from all backgrounds to mentors in the political science discipline. Potential mentoring topics include graduate school admissions, navigating the academic job market, applied careers in political science, and work-life balance. APSA accepts applications from mentees two times a year – at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. Mentors can submit or update their profile at anytime.
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