- Email:
- holtzp@iu.edu
Peggy Holtz is a research associate at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University, Bloomington.
As videographer for the Indiana Disability History Project, Holtz collected the lived experiences of persons with disabilities, family members, service providers, and public officials across Indiana. In addition, she helped create the project website and collaborated on publishing a disability history curriculum for elementary school grades. She assisted in the development of a sexual health curricula for women with intellectual disabilities. Holtz has conducted research and developed training materials in health disparities, health promotion, aging, and advocacy. She has provided consultation and technical assistance to direct support professionals around promoting healthy and meaningful lives for individuals with disabilities. Currently, Holtz is supporting the state-wide disability resource database FINDER. Her work involves researching entries to ensure data accuracy. She also creates presentations for families and professionals on how to effectively search for information within the database and demonstrate the capabilities of FINDER.
Degrees
Holtz holds a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Leisure Studies from Iowa State University and a Master’s of Science Degree in Recreation Administration from Indiana University.
Personal Statement
The expression “Nothing About Us Without Us” drives my work. Over the years, my passion for the work I do has focused on partnering with people with disabilities to find their voice. I’ve had the pleasure of capturing and sharing their stories, working together to promote advocacy, and providing opportunities to be engaged in their communities. In addition, my work has included collaborating with people with disabilities to create opportunities to obtain better health care, enhance their health literacy, and live healthier lives.
Research Interests
- Sexual health
- Oral history
- Advocacy
- Health and wellness
Publications/Presentations
- Harlan-Simmons, J., Holtz, P., & Johnson, K. (2019, November). What’s new in history? Life stories of Hoosiers with disabilities as tools for education and advocacy. Indiana Conference on Disability, Indianapolis, IN.
- Harlan-Simmons, J., Holtz, P., & Lee, J. C. (2018, November). Belonging to history: The Indiana Disability History Project: Raising the visibility of disability experience and advocacy. Poster session presented at the 2018 Association of University Centers on Disabilities annual meeting, Washington, DC.
- Holtz, P. (n.d.). Indiana disability history [YouTube channel]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKTaOP34sSzyrvsHJ0ZgAvw
- Holtz, P. (2015, February). Memory bridge training retreat buddy visit [Video files]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Jd0hTLfioe4
- Mooney, M., Holtz, P. (July, 2004). Self-advocacy. International Best Buddies conference, Bloomington, IN.