Date of Defense
12-9-2025
Date of Graduation
12-2025
Department
Finance and Commercial Law
First Advisor
Colleen Stano
Second Advisor
Thomas Kostrzewa
Abstract
Disability services in the United States operate across several major sectors, including community-based organizations, government programs, and educational institutions. While each sector shares the overarching goal of expanding inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunity, the systems differ substantially in their structure, philosophy, and implementation. This paper examines how each service system functions, analyzes the historical and policy context that shapes them, and evaluates their strengths and limitations. Drawing on interdisciplinary literature from disability studies, sociology, public health, ethics, and education, it is arguable that although each sector contributes meaningfully to the disability landscape, fragmentation and inconsistent implementation continue to impede equitable outcomes for people with disabilities. A more integrated, person-centered model that blends community flexibility, governmental authority, and educational innovation is essential for ensuring a more cohesive and just system of disability support within the United States of America.
Recommended Citation
Brooke, Larsen, "Comparing Disability Services Across the United States" (2025). Honors Theses. 4007.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/4007
Access Setting
Honors Thesis-Restricted
Restricted to Campus until
11-1-2026