Reframing Realities: The Intersection of Migrant and Disability Studies Discourses in a Syrian Family's Journey

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Intersections: Examining Race, Class, and Disability in Educational Discourse (Table 10)

Abstract

This study examines the intersection of Migrant Studies and Disability/Disability Critical Race Studies through the experiences of a Syrian refugee family in Belgium with two sons attending a special school. Using Hannah Arendt's "world making" and Valentina Migliarini's "SENitizing" as guiding concepts, it explores how the family constructs new realities in a host society. The narrative analysis employs Discursive Practices to investigate societal discourses on migrants and disabilities, revealing how these discourses influence the family's experiences and agency. The study highlights the creativity of the family in building their new life, challenging marginalizing narratives, and offering insights for inclusive policies concerning support services. It advocates for recognizing and valuing the unique contributions of such families to society.

Author

• Geert Van Hove, Ghent University