Teachers College Press Meeting Families Where They Are: Building Equity Through Advocacy with Diverse Schools and Communities (Disability, Culture, and Equity Series)

This book presents an in-depth discussion of how human disability and parental advocacy have been constructed in American society, including recommendations for a more authentically inclusive vision of parental advocacy. The authors provide a cultural–historical view of the conflation of racism, classism, and ableism that have left a deeply entrenched stigma-one that positions children with disabilities and children of color as less valuable than others. To redress these inequities, the authors offer a working model of co-constructed advocacy designed to benefit all families. Because advocacy is not a "one size fits all" endeavor, the authors propose meeting families where they are and learning their strengths and needs, while preparing and repositioning families to empower themselves.Book Features:Takes a cultural–historical view that explores the reasons why individuals with disabilities are so stigmatized. Shows how the intersection of different stigmatized identity markers, such as poverty, race, and language, have been woven into negative interpretations of "difference."Celebrates the history of parent advocacy in the United States since World War II. Examines how social and racial privilege have dictated which parent voices are heard. Proposes collaborative approaches that can produce more authentic and more representative advocacy.Explores the motivations and purposes that drive parent advocacy. Review "This book is a remarkable account of the legacy of advocacy among parents of children with disabilities in the U.S., with particular attention to the experiences of parents of color. Centered in the theoretical frameworks of DisCrit and intersectionality, the authors take readers through a critical, historical journey of how disabilities have been socially constructed, how parents' voices have been disregarded by professionals, and how collective parental advocacy efforts have evolved over time."--Teachers College Record"Harry and Ocasio-Stoutenburg (both, Univ. of Miami) combine academic expertise with personal experience as parents of children with disabilities in this informative and emotionally driven work. The book provides a qualitative examination of the treatment of children with disabilities and their families using an intersectional approach through the lens of 'DisCrit, ' a combination of disability studies and critical race theory. Though the volume is intended for educators and academics, it also provides hope, suggestions, and a look into oppressive societal structures that would be useful for parents who advocate for their own disabled children."--CHOICE About the Author Beth Harry is a professor of special education and chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Miami, and coauthor of Why Are So Many Minority Students in Special Education? Second Edition. Lydia Ocasio-Stoutenburg is a doctoral candidate at the University of Miami.