Highlighting the Voices of People With Disabilities: Reflections on a Meta-Ethnography

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 9:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Centering Disability in Redefining Research Paradigms (Table 4)

Abstract

The current evidence base of knowledge in the field of education does not often include people with disabilities as part of the research team nor reflect the priorities of disabled people. This study seeks to better include people with disabilities in conceptualizing and implementing a qualitative research study. A team of four researchers conducted a metaethnography to answer the research questions: How do girls with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) perceive friendships? What are the facilitators of and the barriers to friendships from the perspectives of girls with ASD? In each stage of the metaethnography, the research team reflected on how people with disabilities were included and highlighted using reflexive approaches and Arnstein (1969)'s ladder of citizen participation.

Authors

• Elisabeth K. Rice, The George Washington University

• Adam Berman, Central Michigan University

• Kelly Offutt, Ivymount Organization