3 Hours / 3 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Disability as Diversity is presented by Erin Andrews, PsyD, ABPP in partnership with the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).

In this program, Dr. Andrews discusses the diversity model of disability and how, although disability is included in most definitions of diversity, it is rarely fully integrated into diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. 

Dr. Andrews presents contemporary trends in disability language and introduces the concept of disability culture. Attendees learn the difference between psychological adjustment to disability and disability identity development. 

Pertinent attitudes that affect the lived experience of disabled people are explored. Clinically relevant suggestions for culturally competent care for persons with disabilities are offered.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the diversity model of disability
  • 2 Describe contemporary trends in disability language
  • 3 Describe the concept of disability culture
  • 4 Describe the difference between psychological adjustment to disability and disability identity development
  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for psychologists and disability professionals who work with individuals with disabilities, specializing in areas such as clinical psychology, rehabilitation psychology, social work, and culturally competent care. Participants will gain knowledge and skills to support disability identity and facilitate psychological adjustment for individuals with disabilities.


    Examples of Relevant Professionals:
    • Psychologists (clinical, counseling, rehabilitation, and related fields)
    • Disability professionals (case managers, advocates, consultants)
    • Social workers specializing in disability or rehabilitation
    • Mental health professionals working with individuals with disabilities
    • Healthcare providers in multidisciplinary teams
    • Educators and school-based professionals supporting students with disabilities
  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of familiarity with disability as a component of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

    • Beginner: Participants are new to the diversity model of disability and have limited experience integrating disability into DEI efforts or clinical practice.

    • Intermediate: Participants have foundational knowledge of disability as diversity and some experience applying culturally competent care, but seek to deepen their understanding of disability language, culture, and identity development.

    • Advanced: Participants have substantial experience working with disabled clients, are familiar with current disability discourse, and are looking to refine advanced skills in integrating disability into DEI and clinical frameworks.
  • Practice Setting

    Professionals apply this training in clinical, educational, community, and organizational environments that serve people with disabilities across the lifespan. They deliver assessment, therapy, consultation, and DEI-aligned programming that fosters disability culture, identity development, and psychological adjustment within multidisciplinary teams.


    Examples of Practice Settings:
    • Outpatient mental health clinics and private practices
    • Hospital and rehabilitation medicine units
    • Community mental health centers and disability service organizations
    • K–12 schools, special education teams, and university counseling/disability resource centers
    • Vocational rehabilitation and workforce development programs
    • Integrated primary care and multidisciplinary health teams
    • Telehealth and digital behavioral health platforms
    • Government agencies, nonprofits, and DEI offices

Presented By

Erin Andrews, PsyD, ABPP Psychology Program Manager for the Veterans Health Administration VISN 17 Telemental Health Clinical Resource Hub

Erin E. Andrews, PsyD, ABPP is the Psychology Program Manager for the Veterans Health Administration VISN 17 Telemental Health Clinical Resource Hub. She is an Associate Professor (affiliated) in the Department of Psychiatry at Dell Medical School, the University of Texas at Austin. She is Board Certified in Rehabilitation Psychology. Dr. Andrews' areas of clinical and research interest include disability identity and cultural competence, disability inclusion in psychology training, sexual and reproductive rights of people with disabilities, disabled parenting, and reducing bias in disability language. She is the author of Disability as Diversity: Developing Cultural Competence, published in 2019 by Oxford University Press.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Erin  Andrews, PsyD, ABPP

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • The Diversity Model of Disability
    -Disability as a component of diversity
    -Gaps in integration within DEI efforts

  • Contemporary Trends in Disability Language
    -Current approaches to language
    -Introduction to disability culture

  • Adjustment vs. Identity Development
    -Psychological adjustment to disability
    -Disability identity development

  • Attitudinal Influences on Lived Experience
    -Impact of societal attitudes on disabled individuals

  • Culturally Competent Clinical Care
    -Practical suggestions for clinicians
    -Enhancing cultural competence with disabled clients

We are proud to partner with

American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

We are proud to partner with The American Board of Professional Psychology for this training. The American Board of Professional Psychology serves the public by promoting the provision of quality psychological services through the examination and certification of professional psychologists engaged in specialty practice. ABPP is the primary organization for Specialty Board Certification in Psychology. There are currently 15 Specialty Boards and one Subspecialty Board.

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356 and the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.