Crossroads: Immigrants, (Dis)abilities, and Education

• In Event: Roundtable Session 26
  In Roundtable Session: Religion and Education in Public School Contexts: Roundtable Discussions

Abstract

The discussion of immigrant experiences, (dis)ability studies, and education is a complicated dance. The assumption in such discussions is that culture is the primary influence, particularly when discussing Iranian immigrants to the United States, and Islam is assumed to be the dominant faith. The literature typically leaves out the Bahá’í Faith, which is the largest religious minority in Iran. The Bahá’í Faith carries very different social teaching from the predominant Islamic culture and religion. This, in turn, affects how immigrants view (dis)ability. A greater understanding of the intersection of how culture and faith influence parent perspectives on (dis)ability will contribute to more effective communication and services to meet students needs.

Authors

• Kimiya Sohrab Maghzi, Chapman University

• Marni E. Fisher, Chapman University