George Mason University strives to offer accessible, transformational educational experiences to all students. During Disability Pride Month, the university is showcasing the inclusive excellence taking place every day on the campuses – from the resources provided by University Life to stories of students who have achieved so much.
This commitment to inclusivity also extends to the university's ongoing research efforts. From improving prosthetics for amputees to helping those with intellectual disabilities join the workforce, George Mason researchers are working to address critical public health and education challenges that affect diverse communities, including those with disabilities.
Mason LIFE
The Mason LIFE Program is a 4-year post-secondary comprehensive transition program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who desire a university experience.
Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities
Research and modeled development, training and technical assistance, supporting students, and leadership—these are the four foundational pillars of the Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human disAbilities, a fixture on the Fairfax campus of George Mason University since 1988. Together, they guide the Kellar Institute’s mission of improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities and are interwoven into the Institute’s activities and engagement with the community.
Disability & Neurodivergence Alliance (DNA)
The Disability & Neurodivergence Alliance (DNA) is a faculty and staff affinity group that strives to create a safe and inclusive space for staff/faculty with disabilities, and their allies.
From the News
At Fuse topping out ceremony, student researchers showcase their novel prosthetic liner
As a capstone to the bioengineering program at George Mason University, senior students complete a team-based, two-semester design project developing solutions to real-world biomedical and/or clinical problems.
From left, Rachel A Ometz, Katie A Harrison, Alessandra B Coogan, and Sujung Rodriguez pose with a prototype of their prosthetic sleeve.
George Mason’s startup incubator puts CEO on path to developing accessible electronic healthcare records
Jourdan Saunders is a licensed speech-language pathologist and CEO of The Resource Key, which she founded to assist organizations in developing accessible marketing solutions for people with disabilities and facilitate compliance with regulations related to accessibility. Saunders found her way to the Innovation Commercialization Assistance Program (ICAP) , which helped her grow her healthcare platform and network.
At Fuse at Mason Square, student researchers demonstrate the power of VR in physical rehabilitation
At the topping off ceremony for Fuse at Mason Square, Rebecca Schuetz, Gavin Smiga, Lana Hashem, Kirubel Tadesse, and Rasil Alamri presented their group’s project on a virtual reality-based physical rehabilitation system.
George Mason University alumna won't let disability cloud her vision
George Mason alum Veronica Lewis has become an advocate for fellow people with low vision through her blog "Veronica With Four Eyes."
Two George Mason professors receive NSF grant to study wearables and inclusive workplaces
Can wearable tech resolve the crisis of underemployment among neurodiverse individuals? A multidisciplinary George Mason research team is about to embark on a major study to find out.
Two George Mason University professors have been awarded a $1.87 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop wearable technology designed to help neurodiverse individuals succeed in the workforce.
Learn more about this important research >
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Myeong Lee’s information network research will guide the Virginia Board of People with Disabilities
"It was an event of government staff members, officials, non-profits, and community advocates, discussing the information access challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and their family members," Lee recalled. At the summit, he emphasized the need to address tech literacy issues and structural barriers to information access. His ideas resonated with VBPD members and state government officials, leading to the inception of the Mapping Information Ecology project, for which Lee received a grant of about $150,000 from the VBPD.