Appalachia has long been considered a disabled region. It is widely understood as a “disability belt" (a region with higher rates of disability than the general population) and anti-Appalachian systems are deeply entwined with ableist ones. However, there has been limited conversation between the fields of Appalachian and Disability Studies, and people who are both Disabled and Appalachian are marginalized in both conversations.

The recent Symposium* on Dis/Ability and Debility in Appalachia sought to foster an interdisciplinary and intersectional conversation on disability, ability, and debility and chronic health disparity in the region, bringing together Disabled and Appalachian people, theorists, practitioners, advocates, and attendees at the many intersections of these identities. It happened September 28th, 2024, both in-person at UK's Healthy Kentucky Research Building and virtually online.

Symposium Programs: TinyURL.com/Disability-Appalachia-Programs

Research Guide (Disability and Debility in Appalachia): LibGuides.UKY.edu/DD_Appalachia 

EKY Disability Resource Guide: TinyURL.com/EKY-Disability-Resources

(*Symposium generally means a one-day conference but a bit less formal in structure, focused on gathering people with knowledge over a topic more than focusing on convention and formality, a sharing of ideas.)

[Flyer for Symposium on Dis/Ability and Debility in Appalachia. September 28, 2024. Healthy Kentucky Research Building, 760 Press Ave, Lexington, KY, 40508, and hybrid online. Features white quilt star laid over the disability pride flag. The Symposium on Dis/Ability and Debility in Appalachia seeks to foster an interdisciplinary and intersectional conversation on dis/ability and debility in the region, bringing together Disabled and Appalachian people, theorists, practitioners, advocates, and attendees at the many intersections of these identities. See website for accessibility information: AppalachianCenter.AS.UKY.EDU/Symposium-Disability-Debility-Appalachia (this website!). 859-257-4852. QR code leading to this website and official logo for Disability Resource Center, Gaines Center for the Humanities, Human Development Institute, Center for Health Equity Transformation, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Anthropology, Appalachian Center and Appalachian Studies Program, Lewis Honoors College, LGBTQ* Resources, and Student Sustainability Council at the bottom of the page.]