Mariana Garcia-Torres, Ph.D
Research Assistant Professor
Disability and Human Development
Pronouns: She/her
Contact
Building & Room:
251B DHSP
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About
Dr. Mariana Garcia-Torres is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois Chicago and collaborates with the Great Lakes ADA Center and the ADA National Network. Her interdisciplinary scholarship spans disability studies, autism research, caregiver training, health education, and ADA-related research and knowledge translation. Her work focuses on ADA implementation, disability rights education, caregiver empowerment, transition to adulthood, sexual health education, and improving access to disability-related information and supports for individuals with disabilities and their families. She has led and collaborated on multiple ADA-related research initiatives funded by NIDILRR and the Ford Foundation, examining barriers to ADA knowledge, employment, higher education, and workplace accessibility. Her research includes qualitative interviews, scoping reviews, program evaluation, and knowledge translation initiatives involving caregivers, self-advocates, service providers, and disability organizations. She has also collaborated on projects examining sexual health education and assistive technology for adolescents with ASD and their caregivers. Dr. Garcia-Torres teaches undergraduate and graduate courses related to disability studies, disability rights, and community engagement. Her work has resulted in publications, conference presentations, caregiver training initiatives, and educational resources focused on disability rights, autism, caregiver support, and health education.