The Heller School for Social Policy and Management

The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University’s Heller School leads research that helps shape policies, programs and practices which improve the lives of people with disabilities across the lifespan.

We partner with people with disabilities, community organizations, policymakers, and clinicians to produce research that addresses the critical issues that people with disabilities and their families face. This research incorporates qualitative and quantitative projects that are informed by the disability community and grounded in disability justice. Our research team includes established academic scholars, postdoctoral fellows, professional research staff, and student research assistants. We prioritize mentorship of the next generation of researchers.

Lurie Announcements

Lurie's NDEAM 2021 Submissions

A graphic saying, “National Disability Employment Awareness Month - October 2021. Disability @ Work: We want to highlight the stories of workers with disabilities.” The words are written on a dark-blue background, and the word “highlight” is highlighted in yellow and uses in a handwritten font.

Selected submissions for Lurie's NDEAM 2021 initiative are now available.

We'd like to thank everyone who submitted a blog or vblog post for this year's NDEAM theme, "America's Recovery: Powered by Inclusion."

What's Happening at the Lurie Institute

Overview of the National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities
The National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities describes its exciting new research projects, made possible by the award of generous multiyear grant funding. 

Overview of the National Center for Disability & Pregnancy Research

The Lurie Institute's new research center, the National Center for Disability & Pregnancy Research, receives multiyear grant funding.

Conversation on the Use of Pain and Shock on People with Disabilities

On October 12, 2021, the Lurie Institute, Community Living Policy Center, Brandeis Legal Studies Program, and Brandeis University Press presented a conversation with author Jan Nisbet on the use of pain at the Judge Rotenberg Center as treatment for children and adults with disabilities. Interview of the author of the first book on the JRC was followed by discussion. View the webinar here.

6,000 Waiting: Film and Discussion
On October 27, 2021, the Community Living Policy Center and the Lurie Institute presented the film 6,000 Waiting, followed by a 30-minute discussion with Naomi, Ben, and Nick, featured in the film. The film documents three Georgia residents with disabilities and their fight to access Now/Comp Waiver funding that would allow them to live life on their own terms. Webinar recording will be available soon.

Our Areas of Study

Healthcare worker with child

Healthcare Equity
People with disabilities across the United States face significant disparities in finding and receiving healthcare. Our work uncovers these disparities through rigorous analysis and identifies promising policy solutions that governments, hospitals, insurance providers, clinics, and providers can use to ensure that people with disabilities receive equitable care.
Parent playing with children

Parents with Disabilities
Parents with disabilities have experiences and support needs that are often different from those of parents without disabilities. Our research identifies these experiences and needs to shape policies and programs that help parents with disabilities raise their children, receive culturally competent healthcare, and advocate for themselves when working with child welfare agencies or family courts.
Young people, including girl with prosthetic leg, sitting on a bench

Community Living Policy
The Lurie Institute conducts and supports research into policies that integrate people with disabilities into the wider community. People with disabilities have the right to live, work, and play in the community, and we are proud to help support those rights through our work.
Public Exterior Building Staircase and Slope Ramp Accessibility for Disabled Concept, Modern Architect Pattern of Black Concrete Stairs for Walking and Pavement Surface for Wheelchair Support

“People with disabilities, like everybody else, should have the supports to live and to thrive in their communities.” - Monika Mitra, Director, Lurie Institute