Beloved Disability Studies Faculty Member Mourned

The CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) is deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Devva Kasnitz, a cherished member of the faculty in the CUNY SPS Disability Studies programs.

A pioneer in the field, Dr. Kasnitz taught foundational courses in the CUNY SPS MA in Disability Studies and MS in Disability Services in Higher Education programs, as part of a long and acclaimed career dedicated to research, teaching, and advocating for disability rights and justice.

“Devva was a founder and legendary figure in disability studies. She was a teacher, mentor, and friend to so many who taught and learned with us here at SPS. It was a great privilege to work with her and benefit from her humanity and brilliance,” said Dr. Andrew Marcum, academic director of the CUNY SPS Disability Studies programs.

Originally trained as a cultural geographer and medical anthropologist, Dr. Kasnitz began working in disability studies in 1979. Her many research projects which, most recently, included speech impairment and the politics of social participation, have been awarded grants by prestigious institutions like the NIH and the American Anthropological Association.

Dr. Kasnitz was also honored individually for her scholarship and, among other accolades, was twice-named a Kate Welling Distinguished Scholar in Disability Studies. Additionally, she served on the founding boards of several organizations, including the Society for Disability Studies (where she was also executive director), and ran a California independent living center.

Beyond her academic contributions, Dr. Kasnitz was a mentor, advocate, and friend to many generations of disability scholars, including the students that she inspired at CUNY SPS.

As our community mourns this profound loss, colleagues and students pay tribute to Dr. Kasnitz's inspiring life and career.

Dr. Cassandra Evans, a fellow faculty member in the Disability Studies programs, reflected movingly on their relationship.

“We will miss you, Devva. I will miss you....You welcomed and encouraged me into the disability studies circle in my early days in the doctoral program at Stony Brook University where I felt scared, overwhelmed and barely academic enough to even be in the room, You understood the journey...of wanting non-profits and educational systems to serve everyone, of the goal to bring disability inclusion to the world,” Dr. Evans noted. “To say I was elated when I learned you were also teaching at the CUNY SPS when I was hired there... would be an understatement. I knew that, if you were there, Devva, that people would be human and kind to me because you were laughing in meetings, not only offering great wisdom, but offering it in accessible manner, not ivory tower, not pristine and not polished, but real....Thank you for making my world and so many other people's world real and livable and for all of that which you showed our students as well..You leave us all with more love. May we all hold on to it and use it wisely.”

In a separate tribute, Mark Friedman, an adjunct associate professor in the CUNY SPS disability studies programs, celebrated Dr. Kasnitz's legacy as a disability activist.

“Devva was my colleague at the City University of New York, where she taught disability courses for many years. But she was more than an educator—she was a force for change. As a disability activist, a scholar, and teacher she improved the lives of thousands of people with disabilities, including many she never ever knew but who benefitted from her work. Devva was a role model to the several thousand students she taught. They learned from her and went on to impact many others through their work and advocacy,” he reflected. “Her life serves as an inspiring example of how one person can make an extraordinary difference. Her life challenges all of us to continue the fight for disability rights and inclusion that she so valiantly fought for. Let us all remember Devva's well-lived life as we continue her work for disability equality and inclusion.”

Additionally, several MA in Disability Studies students who studied with Dr. Kasnitz described the ways that she had inspired them.

“[Dr. Kasnitz] and I had a few conversations, and I was grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with her. She identified and understood some of the challenges I was facing and shared a couple of stories,” said Lisa Ray. “During [the course] Embodiment and Disability she gave good direction and sound advice, and it was a pleasure reading some of her published work. She was motivating and inspiring because of her life’s work and not allowing any challenges to stifle her progress.”

“Dr. Devva Kasnitz was a beautiful, encouraging soul. The world is a little bit dimmer for her passing. When I was sharing feelings of not always belonging amongst fellow social workers her response was a single sentence: 'You belong here.' May her memory be a blessing. She will be missed,” said Louise Bonneau.

Kim Bryant similarly reflected: “Because of Devva, I now describe myself as disabled, rather than a 'person with disabilities.' Because of Devva, I know the basics of anthropological qualitative research coding. Because of Devva, I know how to spin yarn. Because of Devva, I leaned much harder and more joyfully into the never-ending complexity of interdependence and disability and accessibility. May her memory be a blessing, and may we all honor her work and life by sharing what she taught us.”

“I took Disability Embodiment with [Dr. Kasnitz] just over a year ago. I loved her sense of humor and her passion in advocating for individuals with disabilities,” said Stacy Grier. “Despite my 25 years of experience working with a variety of populations with disabilities, Devva educated me further on seeing things through the perspective of the person with the disability. Devva was a kind woman who gave so much of herself to her students. Her passion for the field of disability was contagious. I am a better person for have knowing her, even if it was brief.”

In a final tribute, Tasha Perdue observed, “[Dr. Kasnitz's] unwavering dedication and tough yet compassionate approach made a lasting impact on my learning experience. She encouraged me to continue my studies after suffering a tremendous loss during COVID. I will always remember her guidance and the valuable lessons they imparted. She will be greatly missed.”