Mothers’ Breaking Barriers Advocacy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• In Event: Centering Families in Special and Inclusive Education

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated parent engagement and advocacy more than ever to ensure meaningful educational opportunities for their children with disabilities. Therefore, we examined mothers' purpose in engaging in advocacy and how they advocated for their students with disabilities who attended PreK-6th public schools in the US during COVID-19 using Disability Studies in Education and Bourdieu's theory on capital. Fifteen mothers of students with disabilities were interviewed via Zoom. Utilizing constant-comparative data analysis, we identified three themes. Mothers expressed that their privilege helped them navigate the pandemic and enabled them to support other families they considered oppressed or marginalized. They also persistently advocated for accessing learning opportunities and inclusive education while consistently dismantling deficit views towards their children.

Authors

• Sultan Kilinc, Syracuse University

• Sara Jo Soldovieri, The IDEAL School