Dr. Lynn Rose, Professor in the Department of Social Sciences, and Mr. Shko Shwan Fuad, Instructor in the Department of Computing and Informatics at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS), are proud to announce the publication of their latest academic contribution in the edited volume Narrative Universes of Disability: Global Perspectives (Springer).

Their co-authored chapter, titled “Education is a Wall for Disabled People’: Institutionalized Academic Ableism in Kurdistan-Iraq,” sheds light on the systemic barriers faced by people with disabilities within the education system. Drawing from personal testimonies, the chapter reveals the deep-rooted ableism embedded in academic institutions and challenges the structures that continue to marginalize disabled individuals.

The research is grounded in a unique, student-driven project from the Spring 2023 course "Disability Beyond the Classroom." In this course, 37 AUIS students conducted, translated, and transcribed oral history interviews with members of the disability community in Sulaimani. These powerful narratives served as the foundation for the chapter and offered authentic, firsthand insights into the lived experiences of disabled individuals navigating educational spaces in Kurdistan-Iraq.

The publication not only highlights the importance of inclusive and participatory research but also reflects AUIS's broader commitment to community engagement, social justice, and empowering students through experiential learning.

The book can be found via this link (Click here)