This page contains links to websites created by students enrolled in “Neurodiversity, Narrative, Activism,” taught by Dr. Marion Quirici.

I Get Around

By Ryan McMutry, Lancer Li, Alexa Lavergne, and Lexi Alvillar

To study how transportation accessibility issues impact people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), four Duke students worked in direct partnership with the Alliance of Disability Advocates, a non-profit Center for Independent Living serving the Triangle and surrounding counties, as well as representatives from the North Carolina Council on Developmental Disabilities. Their approach combines empirical research with personal surveys and testimonials from the community.

The website complements the “I Get Around” initiative and creates awareness—within the greater Duke and Durham communities—of the challenges that people in the I/DD Community face on a regular basis. The project demonstrates how essential it is to have accessible transportation options in order to achieve inclusion of the I/DD Community, and an overall better quality of life.

Refugee Mental Health

By Olivia Coletta

Based on work with refugees in Durham, NC, this website aims to make the Duke community and general public more aware of challenges refugees face and the impacts on their mental health. This is not a readily discussed topic, but given the current refugee crisis it is imperative that we integrate this subject into the refugee discourse.

Let’s Get Real… Representation of Mental Disability and Mental Illness in Hollywood

By Kate Evans

This website reviews examples of films and TV shows that portray mental illness and/or mental disability. It discusses the problematic elements of these shows in informal blog-style posts, to start a more informed conversation about disability and representation!

Mental Health & Duke Sorority Rush

By Aneesha Raj

This photo gallery explores how the mental health of undergraduate women is impacted by Duke University’s Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment (Rush) process. Girls involved with Rush were interviewed about their experiences in relation to mental health. This photo series includes the perspectives of girls who completed Formal Recruitment, dropped out halfway, or did Informal recruitment. The identities of the girls, and their chapter affiliations, are anonymous.  The project identifies the need for improving mental health resource accessibility, and offers insight into the mental health experiences of women who go through Rush.