Work

Reconceptualizing Assistance for Young Children of Color With Disabilities in an Inclusion Classroom

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: In this article, we draw on DisCrit to critically analyze how a group of early childhood educators approached assistance with young children of color with disabilities in a Head Start inclusion classroom. Using examples from data collected over one school year, we demonstrate how child-centered assistance advances justice for young children of color with disabilities who are often subjected to a surveillance culture in schools. We critique assistance that aligns with the medical model of disability and aims to change young children of color with disabilities to conform to ableist, racist expectations of schooling. We offer examples of assistance practices that contrastingly aim to support young children of color with disabilities to pursue their own interests and purposes. Through these counterstories, we reconceptualize assistance as a practice that can support young children of color with disabilities to be more fully themselves.

Source: Topics in Early Childhood Special Education

DOI: 10.1177/0271121421992429

Authors: Soyoung Park, Sunmin Lee, Monica Alonzo, Jennifer Keys Adair

Institutions: Bank Street College of Education, The University of Texas at Austin

Language: English

Topic: Disability Rights and Representation

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Quality education

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W3130097857

FWCI: 3.126

Cites: 45

Cited by: 17

Related to: 10