Listening to Families of Children With Disabilities: Partnering for Educational Equity

• In Event: Engaging Families and Communities in Learning Across Concepts and Contexts

Abstract

Our aim in this study was to move beyond historical depictions of families of children with disabilities within a “tragedy metaphor” towards a model that recognizes family resources, resilience, and adaptability. A diverse cross-section of participants shared their unique stories about their educational and community experiences and their partnerships with professionals.
An interview protocol consisting of open-ended questions flexibly guided our conversations. Through our analysis process, we crafted the interview transcripts into families’ stories preserving their wholeness and integrity. Our findings offer a context for critically examining theories on working with families of children with disabilities and serve as a catalyst for professionals to reconceptualize educational partnerships.

Authors

• Victoria I. Puig, Montclair State University

• Susan L. Recchia, Teachers College, Columbia University