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'Blackness Distorts:' A Qualitative Exploration of Race and Disability in Black Women Graduate Students

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Title: 'Blackness Distorts:' A Qualitative Exploration of Race and Disability in Black Women Graduate Students
Language: English
Authors: Kat Stephens-Peace
Source: Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability. 2025 38(2):509-522.
Availability: Association on Higher Education and Disability. 8015 West Kenton Circle Suite 230, Huntersville, NC 28078. Tel: 704-947-7779; Fax: 704-948-7779; e-mail: JPED@ahead.org; Web site: https://www.ahead.org/professional-resources/publications/jped
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: African American Students, Students with Disabilities, Females, Graduate Students, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Dyslexia, Race, Disabilities, Intersectionality, Behavior Standards, Social Behavior, Cultural Background, Social Bias, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Negative Attitudes
ISSN: 2379-7762
2328-3343
Abstract: Few qualitative studies have focused on the experiences of neurodivergent graduate students as they pursue graduate and professional degrees, and particularly, how Black women make sense of their race, gender, and ability while preparing for academic careers. This study provides clarity on how their multiply marginalized identities lead them to make meaning of dis/ability culture, dis/ability identity, and expectations of academic performance and excellence despite experiencing executive functioning challenges. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Black women graduate students, with special attention to race and dis/ability. Participants lived with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dyslexia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and auditory processing disorder. Participants shared the cultural norms and cultural stigmas among the African Diaspora as they relate to dis/ability and described how they sought refuge with other neurodivergent Black women. The article concludes with implications for research and practice, including more programming and pathways for (future) dis/abled faculty and more community spaces focusing on intersectionality.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1483367
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: 'Blackness Distorts:' A Qualitative Exploration of Race and Disability in Black Women Graduate Students
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Postsecondary+Education+and+Disability%22"><i>Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability</i></searchLink>. 2025 38(2):509-522.
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  Data: Association on Higher Education and Disability. 8015 West Kenton Circle Suite 230, Huntersville, NC 28078. Tel: 704-947-7779; Fax: 704-948-7779; e-mail: JPED@ahead.org; Web site: https://www.ahead.org/professional-resources/publications/jped
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22African+American+Students%22">African American Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Students+with+Disabilities%22">Students with Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Females%22">Females</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Graduate+Students%22">Graduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attention+Deficit+Hyperactivity+Disorder%22">Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Anxiety+Disorders%22">Anxiety Disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Dyslexia%22">Dyslexia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Race%22">Race</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Disabilities%22">Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intersectionality%22">Intersectionality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Behavior+Standards%22">Behavior Standards</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Behavior%22">Social Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Background%22">Cultural Background</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Bias%22">Social Bias</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attitudes+toward+Disabilities%22">Attitudes toward Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Negative+Attitudes%22">Negative Attitudes</searchLink>
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  Data: Few qualitative studies have focused on the experiences of neurodivergent graduate students as they pursue graduate and professional degrees, and particularly, how Black women make sense of their race, gender, and ability while preparing for academic careers. This study provides clarity on how their multiply marginalized identities lead them to make meaning of dis/ability culture, dis/ability identity, and expectations of academic performance and excellence despite experiencing executive functioning challenges. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 Black women graduate students, with special attention to race and dis/ability. Participants lived with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dyslexia, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and auditory processing disorder. Participants shared the cultural norms and cultural stigmas among the African Diaspora as they relate to dis/ability and described how they sought refuge with other neurodivergent Black women. The article concludes with implications for research and practice, including more programming and pathways for (future) dis/abled faculty and more community spaces focusing on intersectionality.
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  Data: EJ1483367
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 14
        StartPage: 509
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: African American Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Students with Disabilities
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      – SubjectFull: Females
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      – SubjectFull: Graduate Students
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      – SubjectFull: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
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      – SubjectFull: Anxiety Disorders
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      – SubjectFull: Dyslexia
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      – SubjectFull: Race
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      – SubjectFull: Disabilities
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      – SubjectFull: Intersectionality
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      – SubjectFull: Behavior Standards
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      – SubjectFull: Social Behavior
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      – SubjectFull: Attitudes toward Disabilities
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      – SubjectFull: Negative Attitudes
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