We live in a world where physical disability is often misunderstood; reduced to a diagnosis, a wheelchair, or a medical chart. But behind every diagnosis is a person with a full, complex life. That’s something Evin understood deeply. He didn’t just live with muscular dystrophy—he lived a life full of ideas, humor, and determination. He believed that if students could hear stories like his, their perspective would shift.
That belief is now a reality, thanks to the curriculum offered at Notre Dame and St. Leo University.
Through a unique post-secondary course developed by the Evin B. Hartsell Foundation, students are gaining meaningful insight into the lives of people with physical disabilities, learning not just about the challenges they face, but about the solutions that can make a real difference.
The Heart Behind the Curriculum
The curriculum was developed with a clear goal in mind: to help students understand the real-world experiences of people with physical disabilities and to equip them to be part of the solution. It’s grounded in Evin Hartsell’s own story; his life with muscular dystrophy, his challenges, and his outlook. Evin believed that education could be a tool for change. That belief now lives on in classrooms where students aren’t just studying disability, they’re learning how to address it with knowledge, compassion, and practical skills.
Throughout the course, students engage with Evin’s book, Abled in a Disabled World, which gives a firsthand perspective many say they’ve never encountered before. But the course doesn’t stop at reading. It incorporates open discussion, media, real-life scenarios, and often includes direct involvement from Evin’s family, creating an engaging, personal experience.
“This is by far one of my favorite courses that I have taken at Notre Dame,” one student shared, “and I really appreciate the level of involvement Evin’s parents showed and their willingness to answer any and all of our questions.”
Making an Impact at Notre Dame and Saint Leo University
The Evin B. Hartsell Foundation’s curriculum on disability awareness is currently offered at both the University of Notre Dame and Saint Leo University. At Notre Dame, the course has been met with strong student engagement across multiple semesters. Saint Leo University, Evin’s alma mater, recently launched the course as part of its continued commitment to inclusive education.
Students describe the course as discussion-based, engaging, and eye-opening. One shared, “I loved the discussion-based aspect of the curriculum and how different videos and media were integrated into the class.” Another said, “It was enlightening to see disability from the social model perspective and then take into account Evin’s personal experience from the book.”
Several students have noted how the course helped them recognize gaps in their understanding and inspired them to advocate for individuals with disabilities in their future careers. As one put it, “Professionally, this class will help me advocate for a group of people that I might have overlooked previously.”
These responses reflect what the Foundation hoped to accomplish: not only raising awareness but equipping students with the insight and empathy needed to drive meaningful change.
More Than Awareness: A Call to Action
Awareness is an important first step—but the course doesn’t stop there. It encourages students to think about real, practical solutions. They learn about the barriers people with physical disabilities face—not just physical ones like ramps and doorways, but also social and systemic challenges like stereotypes, language, and limited resources.
By the end of the course, students are equipped with tools they can carry into their everyday lives and future careers—whether that’s in healthcare, education, law, or beyond.
“Overall, this course made me more comfortable and confident discussing disability,” one student explained, “because it made me realize that it is not something to shy away from.”
Another echoed this sentiment: “The course absolutely exceeded my expectations. Not only did I learn what disability was—I also was able to view disability in a different manner. I am now equipped with proper use of language tools, education on forms of disability, awareness of the stigma with disability, understanding the separation barrier, and so much more.”
That’s the powerful kind of change Evin hoped to see.
Looking Toward the Future
Right now, the curriculum is offered at two institutions. But that’s just the beginning. The foundation’s goal is to expand its reach so that more students, across more campuses, can benefit from this education and carry it into the world.
This course gives students a new perspective—one that challenges assumptions and encourages action. It helps them see disability not as something to pity or avoid, but as a part of the world they need to understand and value. That kind of learning doesn’t stay in the classroom. It carries forward into the way students think, work, and lead for years to come.