Untangling Our Roots to Embody Equity and Justice

• In Event: Dis/ability and Neurodiversity: Untangling Our Roots to Embody Equity and Justice

Abstract

This session presents an opportunity to construct new visions for teaching and teacher education, urging ongoing examinations of the roles of ableism and racism, and how we can intentionally develop critical teachers prepared to create truly inclusive classrooms. Historically, the Disability Rights Movement followed in the footsteps of the Civil Rights Movement, as a move towards more equitable lived experiences for communities marginalized primarily on the basis of disability for the former and race for the latter. However, the challenges are deeply entangled and continue to play out in schools and communities. The presenters will engage in dialogue across the continuum of disabilities and service delivery–special and general education–to imagine new and just futures. Graf, Professor Emerita, served as a program director and professor preparing educators to work with students with disabilities and supporting inclusive education in general education for over 40 years.

Author

• Victoria Graf, Loyola Marymount University