Professor Michael Ashley Stein Honored by Harvard University

On May 22nd, Professor Michael Ashley Stein received the inaugural Excellence in Accessibility and Inclusion Faculty Award as part of Harvard University's first affinity celebration for graduates with disabilities. The award recognizes instructors who have made an extraordinary commitment to an inclusive campus and classroom environment.

Shortly after starting his role as HPOD's Executive Director in 2004, Stein has taught courses on international and U.S. disability law and policy and bioethics at Harvard's Law School, Kennedy School of Government, Medical School, and Extension School. During the fall 2023 semester he will teach disability, human rights, and development at the Harvard Law School as well as disability, law, and medicine at the Extension School.

On receiving the award, Stein applauded the Student Accessibility Advisory Group's role in organizing this event, hosted by Harvard’s Office for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and expressed hope that this event will contribute to promoting greater inclusion and visibility for members of Harvard University with disabilities. This event aimed at celebrating graduates with disabilities was one of eight student-led affinity celebrations by occurring during this week’s Commencement exercises for the Harvard Class of 2023.

In his remarks, Stein recognized the challenges that students with disabilities face as they progress towards their degrees: 

“I want to thank you, each one of you, who has been advocating for disability rights for inclusion, not only for yourselves, but for the larger group. … [W]hat you have done even if you have not seen the change that you wished, you have added to the momentum, you have added to the voices, and you have moved forward and contributed to that arc towards inclusion.”

Priscilla A.A. Mensah, a graduating master’s student at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and outspoken advocate for Harvard students with disabilities, delivered an opening address where she thanked those who “decided exclusion was an obstacle but not the final word.” Rebecca A. Cokley, who previously led the National Council on Disability and oversaw diversity and inclusion efforts during the Obama administration, now serves as program officer at the Ford Foundation's U.S. Disability Rights program and delivered the event’s keynote speech.