Disability Life Stories

Based on a 10-year longitudinal study in the United States, this much-needed text offers insight into the developmental trajectories of people with disabilities from childhood through adulthood using their language and amplifying their voices. Through in-depth interviews with 14 disabled people, the authors learned important lessons about how each individual developed and enacted a sense of life purpose. Their experiences are illustrated through rich and unfiltered narratives about childhood, family interactions, primary and secondary education, college, and work experiences. These life stories also illuminate growth over time, capturing details of educational, identity, relationship, and career trajectories. Featuring discussion questions at the end of each chapter, the book stimulates individual and group reflection and invites readers to engage in action as allies and advocates for equity and inclusion for disabled people. Disability Life Stories is essential reading for everyone-especially educators (in-service and pre-service), disability scholars, families, community organizers, healthcare professionals, and disabled people themselves.

Annemarie Vaccaro, Ph.D. (she/her), is a Professor and Associate Dean in the College of Education at the University of Rhode Island (URI). Adam M. Moore, Ph.D. (he/him), is an Associate Professor of Special Education and Coordinator of Special Education Graduate Programs at the University of Rhode Island (URI). Barbara M. Newman, Ph.D. (she/her), is a Professor emeritus in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Rhode Island (URI). Philip R. Newman, Ph.D. (he/him), is a social psychologist whose research has focused on the transition to high school as well as on group identity and alienation. Ezekiel W. Kimball, Ph.D. (he/him), is a Professor of Higher Education and Interim Dean of the College of Education & Human Development at the University of Maine. Alexis Carlson, MA (she/her), is an educator at a public high school in Rhode Island. She also teaches education courses as a part-time instructor at the University of Rhode Island (URI). Emily Doffing, MA (she/they), is a scholar-activist conducting critical Participatory Action Research (PAR) with disabled graduate students' lived experiences at California State University in Long Beach.

1. Introduction; 2. Prior Research that Informs Our Work; 3. Overview of Our Research Project; 4. Meet Alice; 5. Meet Juno; 6. Meet Justice; 7. Meet Kalani; 8. Meet Kennedy; 9. Meet Landers; 10. Meet Mercedes; 11. Meet Peter; 12. Meet Poppy; 13. Meet Tippi; 14. Meet Titus; 15. Meet Willa; 16. Meet Willow; 17. Meet Yolanda; 18. Unfiltered Advice from Participants; 19. Conclusion