Serendipitous Landscapes: A Narrative History of Disability Accessibility at Arizona State University

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 3:45 pm - Gold 3
  In Roundtable Session: The Architecture of Accessibility in the Academy: Structures, Experiences, and the Spaces Between

Abstract

When [Person A] arrived at [Institution Name] in the 1970s, she found something unexpected: a campus whose flat terrain and dry climate made it easier to navigate in a wheelchair, and a space where her advocacy could take root. This narrative inquiry traces the lived experiences of [Person A], [Person B], and [Person C], whose stories shaped a uniquely inclusive culture at [Institution Acronym]. Grounded in critical disability studies and oral history methods, the project draws on interviews, institutional archives, and public narratives. What began as environmental happenstance evolved into a model of accessibility rooted in voice and independence. Their stories offer vital insights for reimagining higher education by centering the histories and leadership of disabled people.

Author

• Jennifer R. Miller, Arizona State University