NAEA Position Statement on Visual Art Educators with Disabilities

NAEA acknowledges the importance of recruiting, retaining, and supporting visual art educators with disabilities, evident and not evident. Art educators with disabilities bring unique perspectives and skills to the field of art education. Visual art educators with disabilities possess valuable insights derived from lived experiences. Art educators with disabilities are in positions to advocate for and bring awareness and understanding of others who experience disabilities.

NAEA advocates for and affirms the rights of art educators with disabilities. Art educators with disabilities may choose to disclose disabilities. NAEA believes equitable and inclusive schools, cultural institutions, arts associations, community settings, and museums intentionally foster a positive and welcoming culture, provide accommodations, and follow laws regarding individuals with disabilities. NAEA encourages socially just practices and policies that promote increased awareness, understanding cultural and societal obstacles and systems, and acceptance of visual art educators with disabilities.

Resources:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) www.ada.gov

• Center for Disease Control on Disabilities - http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability-inclusion.html

• Council on Exceptional Children, Policy on Educators with Disabilities: https://www.cec.sped.org/~/media/Files/Policy/CEC Professional Policies and Positions/EWD Policy Statement FINAL March 2016_Updated 31416 (2).pdf

• Derby, J. (2013). Nothing about us without us: Art Education’s disservice to disabled people [Commentary]. Studies in Art Education, 54(4), 376–380.