Resources for Health Professions Students with Disabilities
Connect with resources, organizations, and communities.
Students with disabilities bring valuable perspectives and experiences to the health professions. The resources below can help students find information, community, mentorship, advocacy, and disability-related support throughout their education and professional development.
Books and student resources
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Disability as Diversity: A Guidebook for Inclusion in Medicine, Nursing, and the Health Professions
Edited by Lisa M. Meeks and Leslie Neal-Boylan. A guide for making health professions education more inclusive of students with disabilities.
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Medical Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses (MSDCI)
A student organization offering advocacy, mentorship, community, and resources for medical students with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
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National Center for College Students with Disabilities (NCCSD)
Information and resources about disability and postsecondary education, including the NCCSD Clearinghouse.
Note: NCCSD states that its website is no longer being updated because of funding restrictions. Existing resources remain available online.
Medical and healthcare organizations
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Society for Healthcare Professionals with Disabilities
Provides free disability-related resources and an online community for healthcare professionals, students, family members, and supporters.
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Coalition for Disability Access in Health Science and Medical Education (PDF)
An AAMC-hosted resource related to improving disability access in health science and medical education.
This link opens an AAMC-hosted document. -
Docs With Disabilities Initiative
Uses research, education, community-building, and storytelling to improve disability inclusion in health professions and science education.
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Stanford Medicine Alliance for Disability Inclusion and Equity (SMADIE)
Advances disability inclusion and equity through mentorship, advocacy, research, community, health equity initiatives, and education.
Nursing organizations
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National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities (NOND)
Promotes equity for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions in nursing through education and advocacy.
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Society for Nurses with Disabilities
Provides resources and support for nursing students, nursing assistants, and nurses with disabilities.
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Exceptional Nurse
A nonprofit resource network supporting nurses and nursing students with disabilities.
College-wide support and other resources
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Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
A professional association focused on disability access and equity in higher education.
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DREAM: Disability Rights, Education, Activism, and Mentoring
A community and resource network led by and for college students with disabilities.
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American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD)
Works to advance disability health equity and offers a scholarship program for eligible students with disabilities.
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LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Offers training, technology, advocacy, and community programs for blind and low-vision people.
Explore more for students
Return to the ADHCE Students page to explore student scholarships, meetings and events, membership, and other opportunities to get involved.
Back to StudentsAbout the AllianceThe Alliance for Disability in Health Care Education, Inc. (ADHCE), is a '501(c)(3) Public Charity' organization of healthcare educators and professionals who are working to integrate disability-related content and experiences into healthcare education and training programs. |
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