Daryl Patrick Yao

Daryl (He/Him/His) is a Chinese-Filipino from the island of Cebu, Philippines. He worked as an occupational therapist in a government tertiary hospital catering to the underserved and indigent individuals with disability. Stemming from his personal and professional experiences, he desired to promote changes to society so that people with disabilities are no longer subjected to injustices.

Why did you choose DHD at UIC?
Because of its interdisciplinary nature, I know I will learn a lot not just from the professors but from my peers. Moreover, DHD at UIC has an outstanding reputation and prestige by offering the first PhD in Disability Studies program in America.

What do you want to do with a DHD degree?
Reimagine society from the experiences of the marginalized! I want to engage in and produce research that can offer solutions to real-life problems. Additionally, I hope I can contribute in disrupting the status quo in society and promote changes as an ally of the disability community.

Research Interests
Attainment of rights and justice of people with disabilities. Among the other projects I am engaging in, I hope to examine the role of policies in reducing disparities experienced by people with disabilities. In my master’s thesis, I found that the world we live in, particularly its culture, policies, and politics, contribute to one’s opportunity and access– these are issues beyond what the provision of assistive technology can solve

Selected Publications
Yao, D.P.G., Sy, M.P., Martinez, P.G.V., & Laboy, E.C. (2022). Is occupational therapy an ableist health profession? A critical reflection on ableism and occupational therapy. Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional, 30, e3303, https://doi.org/10.1590/2526-8910.ctoRE252733032 Yao, D.P.G., Bontje, P., Inoue K., Tanaka, A., & Lacsamana-Manalaysay, J. (2021). Coping with bereavement: The experience of a Filipino who lives life using a wheelchair. World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin, 77(1), 58-64. https://doi.org/10.1080/14473828.2020.1868164 Yao, D.P.G.,
Inoue K., Sy, M.P., Bontje, P., Suyama, N., Yatsu, C., Perez, D.A., & Ito, Y. (2020). Experience of Filipinos with spinal cord injury in the use of assistive technology: An occupational justice perspective. Occupational Therapy International, 6696296 https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6696296

Education
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, Tokyo Metropolitan University (Japan), 2019-2021;
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, University of the Philippines (Philippines), 2012-2016