July 14, 2026 - Teach Disability History Conference - Harkin Institute, Drake University - Des Moines, Iowa

• K-12 teachers, instructors of pre-service teachers, disability historians, disability studies educators, and disability rights advocates from across the U.S. will share resources and discuss ways to expand and strengthen the teaching of stories of disability history in K-12 schools. 
• The conference is free thanks to a Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources grant. Lunch was provided. Teachers and disability advocates received $100 stipends to help with travel or other costs. 
• Hosted by the Tom Harkin Institute at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Senator Harkin was the principal author of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act and the 1990 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Participants will have the opportunity to explore stories and source materials from the Harkin Institute collections as well as other local and regional collections. 
• Registration is required. 

 

Register for the conference - Apply for travel stipends. 

 

Conference Program - (Watch for updates!) 

The Long Arc of Disability History

• 

  Kim Nielsen, Distinguished University Professor, University of Toledo - Author: A Disability History of the United States and other works.  

 

• Sarah Handley-Cousins, Associate Teaching Professor, Department of History, University at Buffalo - Author: Bodies in Blue: Disability in the Civil War in the North and other works. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Campaign for the Americans with Disabilities Act

• 

  Hope Bibens, Associate Professor of Librarianship and Director, University Archives and Special Collections, and Curator of the Political Papers Collection of Tom Harkin, Cowles Library, Drake University. 

 

 

 

 

Finding and Using Local Source Material on Disability: 

• State Historical Society of Iowa. (To be confirmed). 
• Hope Bibens, Harkin Institute. 
• Graham Warder, Keene State College. 
• Student Research Guides on Disability History topics–including new guides–will be shared at the conference! 

 

Curriculum and Other Disability History Teaching Resources: 

• Rich Cairn, Emerging America.
• Kate Benson, Friends of the Belchertown State School. 
• Patricia Chadwick, Disability Social History Project and Friends of the National Museum of Disability History and Culture. 
• Iowa Department of Education. (To be confirmed.) 
• Bob Dole Library. (To be confirmed.) 

 

Conference Logistics

• Register for the conference and apply for the teacher / disability advocate $100 stipend. Register by June 30. 

• Interpretation

  • There will be CART and American Sign Language interpreters for all sessions from 9:00-12:00am and 1:00-4:00pm. CART link to be provided. 

• Facilities & Lodging

  • Tom and Ruth Harkin Center, Harkin Institute and Drake University Library: 2800 University Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50311. Link to a Campus Map. 
  • Des Moines 2026 Conference Lodging (Details coming soon.)
    • Make your own arrangements; we will not reserve rooms. 

• Getting Around Des Moines - DART web page link

  • Drake University is 16 miles - about 30 minutes by bus from the Des Moines Airport.
  • For riders who need a vehicle other than a bus or Uber/Lyft/Taxi, the DART system in Des Moines uses a variety of vehicles, including vans that can transport wheelchairs. DART Paratransit door-to-door transport includes trips from the airport to Drake University, and to hotels near Drake. 
    • On the DART web page scroll down using Fares and Services button to find the Paratransit application form.
    • DART requires a Paratransit application before scheduling a ride. DART requires up to 21 days to approve a Paratransit application. A paratransit application must include a form filled out by a health care provider or other professional to verify the need to use a mobility vehicle. (Therefore, we recommend starting to fill out the application by June 1.) 
    • Applicants can submit the form by email. 

 

• Parking

  • Next to the Harkin Institute. 

• In-Person

  • All sessions will be in-person. (See resources from the fully online conference April 7, 2026.) 

• Dress

  • Dress is professional casual. It will likely be hot (in the 90s), so dress comfortably. Bring a sweater (anticipating cool air conditioning). 

 

Learn More About the Teaching Disability History Project

Learn more about the Teaching Disability History project at Keene State College, supported by a Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources grant. Keene State College received a Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources (TPS) project grant. 

Project partners will host the annual conference at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2027. Browse resources from the 2025 conference at Keene State College in New Hampshire. 

 

Photo Credit

Photo of Senator Tom Harkin announcing the passage of the ADA on the floor of the U.S. Senate, speaking in American Sign Language - Harkin Institute, Drake University. 

 

 Conference Sponsors