The Institute on Disability and Public Policy at American University is a multidisciplinary, cross-campus research center that creates and disseminates knowledge that enables all persons to participate effectively in local, national, and global governance through the use of accessible information and communication technologies. IDPP leads the AU 2030 Strategic Initiative on Global Disability and Development, and helps to facilitate collaborative research, teaching and outreach programs through its partnerships.

Since 2009, IDPP has been creating groundbreaking, innovative pathways to accessible learning. It built the world's first virtual graduate institute on disability and public policy through the vision and support of The Nippon Foundation.

Our Core Focus Areas:

  • Global, Regional and National Disability Policy

  • Inclusive Sustainable Development

  • Accessible Global Governance

  • Inclusive Cities and Urban Development

  • Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction

  • Information and Communication Technologies for Development

  • Accessible Robotics

  • Accessible Cyberlearning

  • Accessibility, Assistive Technologies and Universal Design

Latest News

Featured
Forging New Knowledge: Special Smiles
Forging New Knowledge: Special Smiles

First of its kind, Special Smiles is a comprehensive data-set on the lives of persons with intellectual disabilities.

IDPP Supports Kogod M.S. Analytics Site Visit to PAHO Headquarters
IDPP Supports Kogod M.S. Analytics Site Visit to PAHO Headquarters

"The entire site visit was incredible,” said IDPP Research Associate Nathan Banks. “I’m fascinated by the internal processes organizations like PAHO use. I’m so grateful to have been able to see what this line of work is like firsthand.”

IDPP to Showcase Disaster Risk Reduction Work at UMD Disability Summit
IDPP to Showcase Disaster Risk Reduction Work at UMD Disability Summit

IDPP Executive Dr. Derrick Cogburn will be presenting on IDPP’s contributions to disaster risk reduction related to persons with disabilities at the 3rd Biennial University of Maryland (UMD) Disability Summit (April 5, 2019).

IDPP Supports UNISDR and Global Platform 2019
IDPP Supports UNISDR and Global Platform 2019

Building on our successful collaboration in the UNISDR Global Platform 2017 in Cancun, Mexico, IDPP is again providing support for remote participation in the Global Platform 2019 (GP2019) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Call For Papers: Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences 53
Call For Papers: Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences 53

Calls for papers are now available for three mini-tracks that will be co-chaired by IDPP’s Executive and Deputy Directors, Dr. Derrick Cogburn and Dr. Filippo Trevisan, at HICSS-53. Submissions begin on April 15, 2019.

IDPP Student Spotlight: Harshala Chandraiah
IDPP Student Spotlight: Harshala Chandraiah

“For a sustainable and shared future, it is important to have all voices heard and IDPP gave me the opportunity to do just that.” Harshala Chandraiah’s passion for public policy research led her to join IDPP as a Research Associate.

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