Disability Achievement Pride
Leadership Advocacy Education
Delta Alpha Pi Honor Society
“Working for an aDAPtable world”
Founded in 2004 at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, Delta Alpha Pi is open to undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities at UMBC; we are the Gamma Kappa Chapter of DAPi.
Purpose
Because of the negative stereotyping associated with disability, students have been reluctant to identify themselves publicly. DAPi presents an opportunity to change that perception by recognizing students with disabilities for their academic accomplishments. In addition, this Honor Society facilitates the development of skills in leadership, advocacy, and education for participating students.
The three Greek letters have a specific meaning:
Delta – D for Disability, but also the triangle, symbol of strength. Members of Delta Alpha Pi demonstrate strength as leaders on campus to help break down the barriers of negativism. Also, they serve as mentors and role models for other students with disabilities.
Alpha – A for Achievement. Alpha is the beginning and academic achievement must come first. But also for advocacy, because students must advocate for themselves before they can advocate for others. Members of Delta Alpha Pi enhance advocacy skills for themselves and for the rights of all individuals with disabilities to be included fully in society.
Pi – P for Pride, pride in academic achievement and in other accomplishments, not just as students with disabilities but as members of the university community. Pi is a mathematical symbol that we all learned to use in elementary arithmetic classes. So Pi is an appropriate symbol for education. Members of Delta Alpha Pi participate in activities designed to educate the community and society regarding the need to apply the principles of universal design in learning.
Criteria
Students initiated into Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society must meet the following criteria:
All students must:
- Present documentation of a disability and be registered with the Office of Student Disability Services, or self-identify as an individual with a disability
- Demonstrate an interest in disability issues
Undergraduate students must have:
- Completed a minimum of 24 credits
- Earned an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.10 on a 4.00 scale
Graduate students must have:
- Completed a minimum of 18 credits
- Earned an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.30 on a 4.00 scale
Contact: Cassie Kilroy Thompson, DAPi Advisor, Advising & Accessibility Specialist
Office of Student Disability Services
Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society, Gamma Kappa Chapter
410-455-3248