Associate Professor University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work
This electronic poster examines institutional policies on involuntary leaves of absence (LOAs) and their impact on students with disabilities. Administrator interviews highlight key themes: ADA compliance, due process, and equitable support. Findings stress the need for social work programs to align policies with disability rights and accessibility per EPAS 2022.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, attendees should be able to:
Upon completion, participants will be able to define and explain the key components of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 in relation to involuntary leaves of absence (LOAs) and their implications for social work education.
Upon completion, participants will be able to analyze institutional LOA policies, comparing them with the EPAS 3.0 standards, and evaluate how they align or fail to align with the principles of disability justice and equitable learning environments.
Upon completion, participants will be able to apply the principles of disability justice and due process to social work curricula and practice, advocating for policies that ensure students with disabilities receive appropriate support and equitable opportunities for reinstatement after LOAs.
