Disability Policy & Accessibility

Welcome to our digital exhibit on Disability and Accessibility Policy. This page is a companion to the physical display in the Harvard Kennedy School Library, available through December 2024. Harvard affiliates can request books via HOLLIS, for pick-up at the library of your choice.

Since 1992, International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) has been observed annually on December 3 to "promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities at every level of society and development" (United Nations). In honor of IDPD, we've curated a selection of books and other resources on the relationship between disability, accessibility, policy, law, civil rights, and communities. The intersections of these topics speak to important questions about how governments worldwide are pursuing coordinated policy programs in service of community members with disabilities, who make up 15-20% of the global population.

Harvard Library Research Guides

Harvard Initiatives

  • PAE/SYPA Accessibility Canvas site (HarvardKey required) - All MPP and MPA/ID students are required to submit accessible copies of their PAE/SYPA. This Canvas site, built by the HKS Library, is a comprehensive resource for meeting PAE/SYPA accessibility requirements.
  • University Disability Resources - Harvard-wide office that "serves as a central resource for students, faculty, staff, and visitors on disability-related information, procedures and services for our community" and "provides expertise in the development, implementation, and acquisition for best and promising disability-related University practices."
  • HKS Student Disability Accommodations (HarvardKey required).
  • Digital Accessibility Services - Harvard-wide office that "supports the Harvard community in making sure that everyone has the opportunity to access the university’s knowledge, ideas, and resources."
  • Planning Accessible In-Person Meetings and Events from University Disability Resources.
  • Hosting Accessible Remote Meetings and Events from Harvard Digital Accessibility Services.
  • Disability Law and Policy - HKS course taught by Michael Stein that explores "how States develop national level programming to include persons with disabilities across a variety of sectors including health, education, employment, community inclusion, and social welfare and development."
  • Harvard Law School Project on Disability - initiative that "provides human rights training and education, facilitates the development of international law and policy, encourages inclusive development practices, shares technical assistance on strategic litigation, and stimulates new thinking about the abilities of persons with disabilities and their human rights."
  • Disability Justice Caucus - HKS student organization that "exists to encourage engagement by students and faculty with disability and ableism as critical areas of public policy, and to help make HKS a better place for students with disabilities."
  • HKS faculty research related to disability.

Book List

Click on the circular "i" icons to view book descriptions. Click on the Harvard shield icons to access eebooks (HarvardKey required).