Anti-Ableism Research Center

Transforming Policy Through Equity-Driven Research

The Martin M.S. Alliance Foundation.

The Anti-Ableism and Anti-Racism Research and Policy Center is dedicated to addressing the intersecting impacts of ableism and racism within our society. The Center focuses on identifying and dismantling institutional policies and practices that, while often framed as neutral, create systemic advantages for some groups and persistent barriers for others.


Through research, advocacy, and policy development, the Center works to advance inclusive and equitable systems across higher education, employment, and K–12 education. Grounded in equity and justice, our mission is to challenge discrimination and prejudice, influence meaningful policy change, and help build environments where all individuals have the opportunity to thrive.

Why our work

Matters.

The intersection of ableism and racism presents unique challenges that require targeted solutions. By focusing on these intersecting issues, we can create comprehensive policies that address the root causes of discrimination and exclusion. Our research and policy development efforts aim to:

• Increase Awareness: Highlighting the often-overlooked issues faced by individuals at the intersection of ableism and racism.

• Advocate for Change: Working with policymakers, educators, and employers to implement inclusive policies.

• Empower Communities: Providing resources and support to marginalized communities to Areas of Specialization Disability in communities of color – re-name Anti-Ableism Research and Policy Center (or institute)

How we do the

Work.

The Anti-Ableism Research Center advances its mission by centering the lived experiences of disabled individuals and examining how ableism operates across systems such as education, employment, healthcare, and transportation. Our work addresses the deep disparities created by ableist structures—disparities that affect everything from access to care to mental health and economic opportunity.

Our approach is grounded in four interconnected areas of action:

• Research – Producing comprehensive research briefs that examine ableism as a systemic practice and explore its intersections with race, gender, and other forms of discrimination.
  

• Community Collaboration – Partnering with impacted communities to amplify marginalized voices and co-develop solutions rooted in lived experience.
  

• Education – Advancing anti-ableist pedagogy and policy frameworks that challenge discrimination in K–12 education, higher education, and professional spaces.
  



• Public Engagement – Hosting events and public forums that foster dialogue, share knowledge, and support policy and cultural change.

Areas of Focus

Our work spans multiple thematic areas, including:

Current Initiatives

Our ongoing initiatives explore topics such as disability justice, ableism as a social system, technology and physical accessibility, mental ableism (sanism), public policy, and strategies that challenge entrenched hierarchies of ability while supporting disabled people across diverse communities.