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

Ensuring diverse representation and minimizing conflicts of interest in clinical practice guidelines. Schelhaas, A; Ayers, K; Meredith, S; Smith, L; Stoll, K. Nature Reviews Endocrinology. 2025; 21:510-511.

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.

Transition to Adulthood. Locascio, G; Ayers, KB; Bechtold, KT. The Oxford Handbook of Rehabilitation Psychology. : Oxford University Press (OUP); Oxford University Press (OUP); 2025.

Osteogenesis imperfecta and the family: A qualitative analysis of the experiences of family and caregivers. Colombo, GM; Wiese, AD; Mercado, AE; Shepherd, WS; Fynan, M; Ayers, K; Rork, WC; Kostick-Quenet, KM; Nguyen, D; Schneider, SC; Robinson, ME; Lee, B; Sutton, VR; Storch, EA. Families, Systems, and Health. 2025; 43:482-499.

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.

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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