My project addressed the broad questions of what barriers exist to accessibility for students and staff with disabilities at Arizona State University (ASU) and the reasons both historical and contemporary why those barriers exist. The second objective of my analysis was to provide potential solutions to these problems utilizing the voices and…

We examined the priorities parents hold for their children with disabilities and the pathways through which parents access needed information and resources related to these valued areas. Our sample included 405 parents of children (ages 12 and under) who experienced a diversity of disabilities and varied support needs. Although each of the parents…

U.S. state agencies are charged with addressing the service and support needs of residents with and without disabilities. Undertaking this task effectively requires having familiarity with the array of available disability-related resources and programs--both within and beyond one's own agency. We asked 212 staff from 13 state agencies about their…

Disability disclosure is a complex, ongoing process involves navigating medical, legal, educational, economic, and employment systems. Disclosure decision making occurs for all disabled individuals regardless of how apparent their disability is to others. Professionals working in disability resource positions, who identify as disabled, navigate…

Careful research and compilation of the best data available has earned "The Complete Resource Guide for People with Disabilities" the honor of being a repeat recipient of the National Mature Media Award and the National Health Information Award, as well as being a go-to resource among educators, librarians and the disability community.…

Although supportive work-life initiatives have advanced in recent years, existing literature shows inconsistent outcomes regarding the adoption and effectiveness of these initiatives. In this conceptual paper, we aim to highlight that an individual's ability to freely negotiate and decide how to manage the relationships between their paid work and…

This study analyzed the influence of resource availability on inclusion of children with various disabilities in rural early childhood development centers in Zimbabwe. A qualitative descriptive design utilizing questionnaires and interviews was used to collect data from 36 teachers, 12 school-heads and 24 parents of children with disabilities who…

Despite evidence for the usefulness of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) for young children with complex communication needs (CCN), several barriers prevent children from accessing AAC intervention. This qualitative study is focused on understanding the lived experiences of parents accessing and learning how to use speech-generating…

Resilience in families of autistic children and children with intellectual disability is associated with factors such as family functioning, social support, and financial strain. Little is known about family resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic when many resources were limited. This study examined the association of family resilience with child…

This survey study investigated understanding and use of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), self-advocacy, self-determination, and campus resources by college students with disabilities. Thirty-one students registered with a student disability office at a Midwestern state university completed an anonymous survey. Thirty-two percent of…

Difficult life circumstances can make anyone vulnerable. For example, families of children with special needs are at risk, as are families facing other stressful circumstances, such as poverty or parental mental illness. This article builds on previous action research by Plavcak (2020) and introduces a new research problem. We conducted a…

Disasters have severe implications for life and property, often requiring large-scale collective action to facilitate recovery. In the U.S., one key determinant of recovery is access to resources that mitigate damage losses and shorten disaster recovery trajectories. However, communities with the disabled present may be excluded from such services…

Postsecondary students with disabilities underutilize career services (CS) and report systemic barriers when trying to do so. Disability resource (DR) professionals rarely have the experience to advise students on employment issues such as internship opportunities, disclosure during interviews, and how to obtain workplace accommodations. Research…

The study examined the difficulties encountered by parents of children with ASD in rural communities in Nigeria. The lack of sufficient healthcare facilities and proficient practitioners in rural locations hinders the availability of early intervention services. The cultural beliefs and misconceptions surrounding ASD exacerbate stigma,…

This manual was designed primarily for use by people with disabilities. The hope is that it is also useful for families, as well as service coordinators and providers who directly assist families and individuals with disabilities. The focus of this manual is to provide easy-to-read information about available resources, and to provide immediate…