TOWARD A RESEARCH AND TRAINING CAPACITY IN DISABILITY POLICY

This paper describes the research and training infrastructure that is needed if disability policy is to flourish as a viable field of inquir y. Due to its interdisciplinary character, no one discipline or academ ic field has adopted disability policy as its own, and as a result, ha s not developed the infrastructure needed to give disability policy th e visibility and focus it deserves. This paper explores the reasons fo r the field's underdevelopment and proposes several developmental step s essential to its future success. In particular, the paper proposes(a ) an academic home for disability policy, (b) the development of curri culum, (c) graduate and post-doctoral research opportunities, (d) recr uitment of students with disabilities, and (e) the establishment of po licy research centers. The paper notes achievements already in place, such as a policy journal and the development of professional organizat ions. Finally, the paper notes the important role of both private and public funding.