Leading the fight: an African American mother advocating for her children with disabilities

ABSTRACT

Researchers have long documented the importance of parent participation in the development and success of children in schools. Parent participation is a critical component in special education programming and is embedded in special education legal requirements in the US. However, navigating special education programming has proven particularly challenging for families from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) communities. Existing research focuses more extensively on the obstacles parents from CLD communities face than on their contributions to their child’s success. The present case study examines the advocacy efforts of an African American mother of two youths with disabilities. The study documents this mother’s involvement in a special education advocacy training program to enhance her ability to exercise her rights on behalf of her children. Data included an analysis of in-person interviews and special education documentation. Several themes emerged from the data including (a) challenges experienced navigating special education programming, (b) advocacy efforts to support her children’s programming, and (c) using the knowledge and skills gained from her participation in the program to inform her decisions. Overall, acting on her instincts became the most powerful tool in this parent’s efforts to advocate on behalf of her children.

KEYWORDS:

• Advocacy
• parents
• training
• special education
• African–American

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Terese Aceves

Dr. Terese C. Aceves is a Professor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Aceves has advocated for families from marginalised communities for almost thirty years initially as a bilingual resource specialist and currently as researcher and educator trainer.

Lauren Black

Lauren Black completed her Masters Degree in Educational Psychology and Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology at Loyola Marymount University. She is currently a Data Specialist supporting the Westside Regional Center.