A photo of Kara B Ayers.

Kara B. Ayers, PhD

  • Associate Director, UCEDD, Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
  • Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics

About

PhD: Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2011.

MS: Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2007.

BS: Wright State University, Dayton, OH, 2003.

Interests

Parenting with disabilities; youth with disabilities/chronic illness and transitions into adulthood

Services and Specialties

Interests

Co-founder of Disabled Parenting Project, research initiative studying the experiences of parents with disabilities

Research Areas

Publications

Selected

No body is expendable: Medical rationing and disability justice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrews, EE; Ayers, KB; Brown, KS; Dunn, DS; Pilarski, CR. American Psychologist. 2021; 76:451-461.

Selected

Experiences of Breastfeeding among Disabled Women. Andrews, EE; Powell, RM; Ayers, KB. Women's Health Issues. 2021; 31:82-89.

Selected

Raising awareness of disabled lives and health care rationing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lund, EM; Ayers, KB. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. 2020; 12:S210-S211.

Selected

Fostering disability advocates: A framework for training future leaders through interprofessional education. Weber, S; Smith, J; Ayers, K; Gerhardt, J. Psychological Services. 2020; 17:120-127.

Balancing independence: Priorities, tensions, obstacles, and facilitators for independence among young adults with skeletal dysplasia and short stature. Ricks, SJ; Johnson, J; Ayers, KB; Pena, LD M. Journal of Genetic Counseling. 2025; 34:e70033.

Pilot study for a preconception educational intervention for people with mobility disabilities. McCabe, MA; Gabor, A; Stephens, J; McKee, MM; Brown, HK; Ayers, KB; Valentine, A; Horner-Johnson, W; Mitra, M; Harris, JA. Sexual and Reproductive HealthCare. 2025; 44:101101.

Consensus Preconception Educational Domains for People With Mobility Disabilities: A Delphi Study. Gabor, A; Stephens, J; McKee, MM; Brown, HK; Ayers, KB; Valentine, A; Horner-Johnson, W; Mitra, M; Harris, JA. Women's Health Issues. 2025; 35:20-27.

Feasibility of the Eat and Exercise to Win Program for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Nabors, L; Glubzinski, A; Sanyaolu, O; Ayers, K; Kelcey, B; Bandini, L. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. 2024; 8:600-613.

Beyond Stigma: The Case Against the Criminalization of Sex Work for HIV Prevention and Health Equity. Cochran, T; Smith, L; Ayers, K; Stone, MV. American Journal of Public Health. 2024; 114:1175-1178.

Exploring Dwarfism Representation in Social Media: Intentionality and Advocacy as a Digital Content Creator. Ayers, KB. Dwarfism Arts and Advocacy. : Emerald; Emerald; 2024.

From the Blog

How to Talk to Kids About People with Disabilities
Blog Child Development and Behavior

How to Talk to Kids About People with Disabilities

By Kara Ayers, PhD1/25/2022

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