Fabricio Balcazar

Fabricio Balcazar, PhD is a Professor in the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). He serves as Director of the Center on Capacity Building for Minorities with Disabilities Research and has been a Fellow of the American Psychological Association since 1986. His work focuses on disability empowerment, youth transition programs, and cultural competence in rehabilitation services for minorities.

• PhD in Developmental and Child Psychology from the University of Kansas (1987)

Dr. Balcazar specializes in disability rights and empowerment, with over 35 years of experience in vocational rehabilitation research and community-based interventions. His work addresses minority populations, entrepreneurship, and systemic barriers to employment and education for people with disabilities.

Recent publications reveal trends in assistive technology accessibility, international disability research, and cultural competence across multiple subfields including refugee care, Latinx communities, and policy implementation challenges.

• 2015 Outstanding Service and Leadership Award (APA Division 27)
• 2015 Excalibur Award (UIC College of Applied Health Sciences)
• 2014 Jaliscience de Corazon Award (FEDEJAL)
• 2012 Professor of the Year (UIC College of Applied Health Sciences)

Dr. Balcazar's leadership roles include mentoring services coordination and advocacy through the Youth Connections Charter School board. He has secured significant grants from the Department of Labor and National Institute on Disability & Rehabilitation Research.

His research lab collaborates with international institutions on capacity-building initiatives and community participation models for marginalized populations with disabilities.