DISCAPAZ: Disability Experiences in the Borderlands

Goals

DISCAPAZ is a multimedia project aimed at centering the voices and narratives of disabled individuals and their families living along the Arizona-Sonoran border. The project also serves as an interdisciplinary, experiential learning program that facilitates authentic engagement with border communities to address community-identified needs and amplify disabled voices in the borderlands through ongoing digital storytelling.

Issues Involved or Addressed

The overarching inquiry is to examine what it means to live with disability in the Arizona-Mexico borderlands. Through this inquiry, DISCAPAZ will provide advocates, practitioners, and the public a deeper understanding of issues, needs, and power of the disability community in this region.

Methods and Tech

Through practical training in community-based research and program development, students will gain skills in interdisciplinary research and practice, and authentic community engagement and partnerships that will prepare them for real-world practice in their own disciplines. Students will learn to be advocates for inclusive and equitable practices through a cultural and disability lens. Experiences will provide opportunity to deepen their investment and networks in the local community through engagement with our partners and programs on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Digital storytelling that encompasses podcasts, video, and other media will be used as a vehicle for storytelling pieces that are shared, analyzed, and developed into data storytelling.

Academic Majors of Interest

Open to all majors and minors, with particular interest in disability and/or the health, social, and life sciences, including:

  • Anthropology
  • American Indian Studies
  • Communications
  • Gender & Women’s Studies
  • General/Special Education
  • Geography, Development & Environment
  • Human Development & Family Science
  • Medicine/Pre-Medicine
  • Mexican American Studies
  • Neuroscience/Cognitive Science
  • Psychology
  • Public Health
  • Rehabilitative Counseling
  • Social Work
  • Social, Cultural, and Critical Theory
  • Sociology

Preferred Interests and Preparation

Attributes:

  • Interest in disability and/or intersectionality
  • Interest or experience in research
  • Ability to travel to Mexico (travel is required)
  • Availability for meetings and activities on some evenings and weekends

Skills:

  • Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish, English/ASL, English/Mexican Sign Language)
  • Research experience preferred (not required)
  • Basic computer/technology skills

Application Process

Interested students can email Celina Urquidez (celinau@arizona.edu(link sends e-mail)) to inquire.

Team Advisors

Jacy Farkas, MA

Celina Urquidez, MPH