Creating an Inclusive Campus Community
The Disability Cultural Center (DCC) is part of the McBurney Disability Resource Center and Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Following student advocacy, the DCC was opened in 2023 and encompasses physical space, programming, and community to uplift, affirm, and celebrate disability identity and culture on campus.
Disability culture is the shared experiences, history, and traditions of disabled people and communities, and is present in visual art, dance, film, sports, activism, social media, scholarship, and more!
The DCC is open to all students, regardless of disability identity, disclosure, or affiliation with the McBurney Disability Resource Center.
In its first year, the Disability Cultural Center served hundreds of students through internships and professional development, educational and cultural programs, social events, and community space and resources.
One student shared, “I feel much more connected to the disability community now than I did at the start of the semester, in large part due to the great people I’ve met and conversations I’ve had at DCC events. The DCC was and is a great place to come back to.”
Your generous gift to the DCC will support our student internships and programming to increase disabled belonging and appreciation of disability culture on campus.
In the past academic year, McBurney assisted over 5,100 students with disabilities.
Thanks to donations from people like you, the McBurney Center awarded more than 170 students last year with scholarships to attend UW-Madison.
The McBurney Center worked with a group of students to host an online event celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the disability history at UW-Madison.
Reaching More Students Than Ever
At McBurney, we view disability as an important aspect of the diversity of UW-Madison and are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive educational experience for students. We do this by partnering with students, faculty, and staff to design accessible environments and to provide academic accommodations so that students can engage, explore and participate in the Wisconsin Idea.
Donations to the McBurney Center go far to help us support students with disabilities at UW-Madison. You can help make possible:
- AS WE ARE, a support group for students on the Autism Spectrum
- The Ambassador Program for all incoming students with disabilities provides incoming students the opportunity to meet with other students with disabilities throughout the year to strengthen ties to campus and ease their transition to the university.
- The funding of a student liaison who works out of the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center, with a focus on students with disabilities and ensuring program accessibility.
Real Students, Real Stories
“Thank you so much for your confidence in my academic career and for your support. With the help of this scholarship, I will have the security of spending more time focusing on my studies rather than the stress of balancing work with school.” – Undergraduate student
The McBurney Center scholarship has given me access to a wealth of opportunities to support and further my education through UW-Madison. My experiences with them have been nothing but good and I greatly appreciate the support they have provided.” – Anonymous
“This scholarship will allow me to continue my education while also handling the needs of my mental illness and help me to rise above the stigmas that affect me.” – Sophomore
“Thank you for your acknowledgement and understanding about the stress of navigating life as a full-time student with a disability.” – Anonymous
“As a student with a disability and being an out of state student who has significant financial need, I appreciate the donors for providing scholarship opportunities. I am humbled and incredibly thankful that I have been selected to receive this scholarship.” –Sophomore
“Thank you very much for this opportunity. It is extremely difficult to cover academic expenses and keep my psychological treatment. Thanks again for your support.” – Third year Ph.D. student
STUDENT AFFAIRS GIVING PAGE
Make a gift to a Student Affairs department or initiative.
MCBURNEY DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER
Learn more about McBurney Disability Resource Center.