Center for International Disability Advocacy and Diplomacy

About CIDAD

St Cloud State University Centre for International Studies, Lawrence Hall with flags of different countries erected on the walkway

Group picture of an attendee in wheelchair, Dr. Kathyn Johnson, Dr Amy Knopf, former senator Tom Harkin and colleagues at the US State Department during the United Nations for a Disability Event with vibrant flags showcasing a variety of colors from different countries above them.

Group photo of 1 Asian woman and 3 Asian men standing in front of a dark granite pillars with "St. Cloud State University" embedded above the pillars. The background has blue sky, green grass, and pine trees.

Drs. Johnson and Knopf with students and Maysoon Zayid at the Zero Project Conference

Deaf Leadership Delegation in Beijing, China

Two women smiling and chatting at a table with two other women with their back to the camera. Left Asian woman with glasses, right redhead woman with glasses. Brick walls in the background.

St. Cloud State University above all black pillars. Green trees and grass in background.

The Center for International Disability Advocacy and Diplomacy is a leading innovation hub that focuses on inclusive and accessible scholarship, training, advocacy, and cultural diplomacy. Students with and without disabilities are actively engaged in all aspects of the Center which is a foundational core value of this Center. Aligning with this core value we ensure students, employees and community leaders with disabilities are at the table in strategic planning, scope of work, implementation and serving in an advisory capacity.

More about CIDAD

This Center serves as a hub for interdisciplinary collaborative research with faculty, domestic and international students, community members, and visiting scholars.

All students are encouraged to become engaged and are invited to participate in Center activities and scholarship work. Students from majors that serve and work with the disability community will be targeted for active involvement with activities, events, internships, education abroad and interdisciplinary research.

The Center will also engage U.S. and international public and private partners to advance its goals. Since the Center’s activities will be broad-based and represent the University, it will be classified as a University Center and its directors will report on and engage with the President’s office. 