Disability Studies Program at the University of Toledo

07/20/2026

07/20/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended the final showcase for our Inclusive Performing Arts Camp on Friday!

Thank you to the Disability Studies Program at the University of Toledo, University of Toledo Department of Theatre and Film, OpenSpot Theatre for making this program possible, and we hope to see all our middle and high school campers again as future Rockets!

07/15/2026

Just wrapped up day 3 of our Inclusive Performing Arts Camp! In addition to writing and starring in their own show, these middle and high schoolers get to learn from our UToledo theatre experts. On Tuesday, Professor Stephen Sakowski gave a demonstration on lighting, and today, Assistant Lecturer Yetunde Akitikori showed us how costumes, makeup and hair can transform actors.

Want to see what we've been up to? Come to our open showcase on Friday at 11 am at the Center for Performing Arts to catch the world premier of our original play, "What a Zoo!"

University of Toledo Department of Theatre and Film OpenSpot Theatre UToledo Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education The University of Toledo

07/10/2026

We're all ready to welcome students to our very first Inclusive Performing Arts Summer Camp for teens with disabilities! See you all Monday!

OpenSpot Theatre University of Toledo Department of Theatre and Film UToledo Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education The University of Toledo

05/02/2026

Happy graduation day, Rockets! Your Disability Studies profs are so proud of all you've done and cannot wait for all you've yet to do! 🚀

ID: Four smiling disability studies graduates, Cielo, Shar'Vah, Marissa, and Aabha, in caps, gowns, cords and stoles with Dr. Monteleone standing behind them with her arms raised in celebration

05/01/2026

It's Inclusive Postsecondary Education Day! celebrates college opportunities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities so we thought it would be a great time to honor our Disability Studies Program interns from the last several semesters, Graham, Ana, and Jocelyn! All three are part of the Toledo Transition (T2) program which provides students with IDD college opportunities to enhance social, academic and vocational skills.

Our DST interns have contributed a ton to our program, from digitizing our student library to planning our student parties - thank you, Graham, Ana, and Jocelyn!

Special congrats to Ana and Jocelyn who will also be graduating this weekend!

Learn more about T2 here: https://www.utoledo.edu/hhs/toledo-transition/

04/27/2026

This week, we are celebrating our graduating students! Check out their profiles here or on the 4th floor of University Hall!

We're so proud of all of you!

04/21/2026

Yesterday, we got to honor our fantastic graduating students, undergraduate majors Marissa Kuehn, Aabha Agarwal, Shar'Vah Williams (not pictured), and Cielo Caputo (not pictured) and graduate certificate students Meghan Ragle and Brittany Kupresanin with our traditional hand-knit cords at our End-of-the-Year party. We also got to recognize Patricia A. Murphy scholarship winner Lindsey Knight and Outstanding Disability Studies student Marissa Kuehn. We also had THREE of our past interns with the Toledo Transition program, Ana Pacheco de Loera, Graham Micham (not pictured), and Jocelyn Jones. We could not be more proud of you all!

04/12/2026

Headed to The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical this or next weekend? Grab an Easy Read summary of the show created by stage manager Abby Papenfus! Easy Read summaries can help everyone follow along with the story. Abby created this one as part of her final project for Dr. Monteleone's Disability and Theatre class - access in action!
Check out a digital version here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHGBOdWvX8/2cwH1ncHSJJfq4h4jU3TAQ/edit