“Special is a Label” with Dr. Portia Allie-Turco
Location: Brooks M. O'Brien Auditorium/Lewis Academic Building
This session will explore societal prejudice against disability, starting with historical views framing disability as a punishment to ongoing stereotypes associating disability with misfortune, poor lifestyle choices, or bad genetics. These beliefs negatively influence public policies and public attitudes by shaping how individuals with disabilities are perceived and treated across different historical periods and into the present day.
Portia Allie-Turco, PhD., LMHC, NCC, is an assistant professor, program coordinator, and clinic director at the State University of New York, Plattsburgh. She owns Adirondack Mental Health Counseling PLCC, a private practice offering counseling, supervision, and consultation services. Her research and clinical focus is on the treatment of racial, historical, and generational trauma and dismantling oppressive systems using indigenous and somatic healing approaches.
For more information, visit the Academic Speaker Series page.