Opening Up Possibilities

“Opening Up Possibilities” represents the optimism of this generation of advocates. In this section, we collect stories of personal hardship, hopeful perseverance, and triumph over adversity. This idea of prevailing despite the discrimination of society and social structures is not one that is unique to students with intellectual disability, and many of the student voices shared here reflect intersectional identities pushing against pervasive prejudices.

The idea of actualization echoes throughout the pieces. How do students, most of whom would not have had access to higher education a decade ago, face the harsh realities that exclusive spaces present? This section has a cumulative effect, stacking experiences of resolute tenacity in a way that builds toward a common goal of full inclusion.

Allen Thomas’s chapter title communicates volumes for all of the authors: “I Did What They Said I Couldn’t.”