Perspectives of Parents of Children With Disabilities During COVID-19 School Closures: A Social Ecological Lens

• In Event: AERA Virtual Poster Session 2
  In Poster Session: Perspectives on Research and Practice in Special and Inclusive Education

Abstract

This paper examines the results of an online survey of parents of children with disabilities (n=243) that explored barriers and unmet needs during the first wave of school closures in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. A conventional qualitative content analytic approach was used to analyze parents’ responses to 3 open-ended survey questions. The themes were subsequently organized using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems framework including: Microsystem (Multiple and complex roles); Mesosystem (Is anyone out there?); Macrosystem (Disability ex-clusive policy decisions); Exosystem (Left behind); and Chronosystem (Stress and giving up). The findings reveal attitudinal, structural, and policy barriers to equity and inclusion at multiple levels of the social ecology. Recommendations to disrupt exclusionary beliefs and practices are proposed.

Authors

• Nadine Alice Bartlett, University of Manitoba

• Rebeca Heringer, University of Manitoba