Samantha Reilly

Major: Communication Sciences & Disorders and Child Development and Family Relations

Subplan/Concentration: Individual and Family Studies

Minors: Interdisciplinary Disability Studies and Women Gender Studies

Advisors: Nancy Hall and Daniel Puhlman

Reply to question: How have the IDS courses shaped your perspective of disability? 

The IDS courses have shaped my perspective of disabilities in many ways. The classes I took showed me how the idea of disability is complex and is made up of many categories and is defined differently depending on the person. When I began these classes I was doing it to give me better insight and perspective when working with people in the future. These classes have taught me much more, we dove into topics that are sometimes hard to speak about, such as mental health and were able to have a conversation and bring light to problems that are happening around us. These classes are real and raw and make you think outside the box and make you push yourself to learn more but also urges you to want to educate others. I know for certain that wherever I am next, I will be taking my knowledge and skills with me. Thank you Steven and Liz for always going above and beyond for your students, you are what makes these classes so special.