Activist and Paralympian Anjali Forber-Pratt to Speak About Disability Inclusivity and Representation in Research

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On April 11 and 12, UMass ADVANCE will host two luncheon and interactive discussion events with disability activist, author and two-time Paralympian Anjali J. Forber-Pratt at the Campus Center Amherst Room, located on the 10th floor.

Forber-Pratt, a wheelchair user for 35 years and former paralympic wheelchair racer, is director of the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) in the Administration for Community Living, and fellow of the American Psychological Association. She also serves as chair of the Interagency Committee on Disability Research, which exists to promote coordination and collaboration among federal departments and agencies conducting disability, independent living and rehabilitation research programs.

On Thursday, April 11 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Forber-Pratt’s first talk, “Intersectional Approaches to Disrupting Ableism,” will highlight the importance of disability inclusivity and representation in all aspects of research. Pratt emphasizes that disability should not be an afterthought and can strengthen the research being done. Key aspects about disability from an equity framework including intersectionality and designing research with intentionality will be discussed, including information about the future directions of disability research policy.

This ADVANCE lecture is co-sponsored by the Office of Equity and Inclusion, the Office of Faculty Development, UMass Allies for Illness and Disability Access, and the Institute for Social Science Research. 

Registration is required to attend the April 11 in-person talk and luncheon, and is open until Thursday, April 4. The talk will also be accessible for viewing online via Zoom.

In the second talk and workshop, “Federal Funding Opportunities for Early Career Researchers,” on Friday, April 12 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Forber-Pratt will connect with graduate students, post-doctorate researchers and early-career faculty to share information about opportunities and approaches for securing federal funding for their research, and how the NIDILRR funds disability research and “expands society’s capacity to provide full opportunities and accommodations for its citizens with disabilities.” 

Forber-Pratt will discuss her own career trajectory with funded research and strategies to broaden participation in science, discuss participants’ research ideas and answer their questions.

This workshop is co-sponsored by Office of Research and Engagement, Office of Professional Development, and the Institute for Social Science Research. 

Registration is required to attend the April 12 luncheon and workshop, and is open until Thursday, April 4.

For more information about the UMass ADVANCE Program, visit the ADVANCE Program website or email advanceprogram@umass.edu. More information about Forber-Pratt, including bio and accomplishments, can be found on her website.