Kurt L. Johnson

It is with great sadness that we share that Professor Emeritus Kurt L. Johnson, PhD, passed away Sunday, September 28, 2025. Kurt was a co-founder of the UW Disability Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences, providing start-up funds and teaching core classes for many years. He was a vital member of the Rehabilitation Medicine department for 35 years, and he will be deeply missed.

Kurt was a proud Husky, earning his bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in counseling psychology from the University of Washington. He completed his PhD in rehabilitation psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and returned to Seattle in 1990 as an assistant professor, following faculty appointments at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Florida State University. He was promoted to professor in 2005 and held the Nancy and Buster Alvord Endowed Professorship in Multiple Sclerosis Research from 2015 to 2019. 

Kurt served as head of the Division of Rehabilitation Counseling from 1990 to the present and was a core faculty member in the Rehabilitation Science PhD program. Kurt was the founding director of the Center for Technology and Disability Studies (CTDS) at the Center on Human Development and Disabilities (CHDD) from the mid-1990s to 2023. He also served as associate director of the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) from 2016-2022.

Kurt's research interests focused on maximizing participation for people with disabilities in community and employment, looking at implementation of civil rights, uses of technology and accommodations, and how to measure outcomes.

Throughout his prolific career, Kurt secured tens of millions in research funding, a testament to his extraordinary leadership and influence in the field of rehabilitation science. His portfolio included federal, state, and private grants that supported a wide range of initiatives, from assistive technology and vocational rehabilitation to disability policy, measurement development, aging, civil rights, health equity, and knowledge translation. He led efforts to improve outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and chronic pain, and advanced the use of cognitive support technologies and accessible information systems. Many of these projects were designed not only to advance knowledge but also to deliver services directly to individuals and communities. Through programs in assistive technology, employment, independent living, and post-secondary transition, Kurt helped thousands of people with disabilities access the tools, training, and support they needed to thrive. 

As a teacher and mentor, Kurt shaped the careers of hundreds of students and colleagues, many of whom became close friends and collaborators. Kurt could always be relied upon for solid advice or a word of encouragement. In clinical care, he continued to see patients as a rehabilitation counselor throughout his career, supporting individuals experiencing significant career change due to disability. At the university level, he was an active participant in shared governance, serving a total of 21 years on the UW Faculty Senate. 

Although he officially retired on April 30, 2023, he transitioned to active emeritus status the next day and continued to contribute to the department. He remained engaged in research, mentoring students, and oversaw numerous projects, including the Northwest ADA Center and several initiatives under the umbrella of the Institute on Human Development and Disability. 

Kurt will be remembered for his professional accomplishments, which spanned decades and profoundly influenced the field of rehabilitation. More importantly, he will be remembered for his joyous presence, his empathy, and his drive to make the world a better place. 

Donations in Kurt’s name can be made to the Gowdey Family Endowed Fund, a UW fund established for Kurt to support the employment training program at the IHDD.