The University of New Orleans helped organize and conduct an international symposium on higher education and disability this summer in Innsbruck, Austria. Held in conjunction with longtime partner the University of Innsbruck, the 20th edition of the symposium focused on faculty research related to individuals with disabilities and their participation in higher education, employment and independent living.

Linda Flynn-Wilson, a professor of special education-early intervention at the University of New Orleans, collaborated with University of Innsbruck colleagues Lisa Pfahl and Julia Biermann to plan and facilitate the symposium, which drew more than 50 participants from the United States, Europe and beyond.

Some of the research topics presented at the symposium included:

•    Integrating sports into the university curriculum to improve attitudes toward people with disabilities
•    Barriers to higher education access
•    Transition of individuals with ADHD within and beyond higher education
•    Survival in higher education systems for women with disabilities in Pakistan
•    Students with disabilities in teacher training programs
•    Use of personal assistants for individuals with disabilities living independently

The University of New Orleans and the University of Innsbruck have a well-established relationship. The two institutions marked the 44th anniversary of the UNO-Innsbruck International Summer School in 2019.