In this EquiLearn Mini-Lecture, Dr. Robin Roscigno focuses on her research in special education and disability studies, advocating for a shift away from deficit-based approaches to more inclusive educational environments. She highlights the intersectionality of disabled students, emphasizing how the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) intersects with the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, national origin, and religion, but often falls short in addressing the full complexity of students' identities, such as race and socioeconomic status.

Dr. Roscigno also discusses her historical research on autism intervention, tracing the shift from behaviorist models to neurodiversity-centered approaches that prioritize respect for autistic individuals' autonomy and voices. Throughout the talk, she underscores the importance of centering disabled students’ perspectives in shaping educational policies and practices for more equitable outcomes.