Pitt Education Student Champions Accessibility
Marilyn Warren contributes to the Health and Human Development program and Disability Studies Certificate
When Marilyn Warren began her bachelor’s in exercise science degree at Pitt Education, physical therapy was her clear destination. But a pivotal seminar would redirect her path and ignite a passionate commitment to accessibility and inclusive healthcare.
A Passion for Empowering Others
Warren’s transformative moment came in a disability studies course where she found her calling. “I really fell in love with accessibility and identifying barriers,” she said.
What started as academic exploration quickly became a mission to empower marginalized voices.
Sam Pittman, teaching associate professor in the English department and director of the Disability Studies Certificate, immediately noticed Warren’s potential, noting a “passion for empowering others and for uplifting the voices of marginalized groups through advocacy.”
A multimodal accessibility audit created by Warren and a classmate was such a standout project, Pittman still uses it in the class as an example of inclusive thinking.
“This project set the standard for what success looks like,” he said.
Warren connected courses across departments, helping to integrate a health and fitness programming course in the School of Education into the Disability Studies Certificate, now open to students across the University of Pittsburgh, regardless of major.
Warren’s impact grew from there.
In fall 2023, Warren was asked by Pittman to be a teaching assistant for several classes she previously took. Warren later mentored a TA with a disability, ever mindful of the student’s perspectives and insights as a disabled leader in the class.
Warren also played a key role in researching and drafting a proposal and syllabus for a new accessibility writing course taught by Pittman. She learned the ins-and-outs of accessibility principles, such as the use of plain language, image description, audio description, color contrast, and much more.
“I really got a passion for writing for accessibility because it’s so utilizable in any field,” Warren said. “Sometimes, I find myself writing things just to sound smart and I think, ‘who am I trying to impress?’ I feel much better if I just write to make the most simple terms and communicate the point across.”
‘A model student’
Over time, Warren’s interests continued to expand.
In keeping with her passion for physical wellness, she co-led a ballroom dance course with Sally Sherman, associate professor of practice at Pitt Education’s Department of Health and Human Development.
Sherman notes Warren learned ballroom dance while simultaneously keeping an eye on how to “modify the instruction for a wide variety of student experiences and abilities.”
Through these experiences, Warren has reshaped her career trajectory. She is now planning on applying to a master’s program in public health, with the goal of focusing on healthcare disparities and improving accessibility within healthcare.
“Marilyn is a true advocate for others,” said Sherman. “She exemplifies what we want our students to get from our program – constantly considering, ‘how does this look different for different people?’”
Warren’s journey demonstrates how curiosity and a commitment to inclusivity can transform not just one person, but entire systems of care and education.
