Introduction to the Special Issue-Imagining Possible Futures: Disability Critical Race Theory as a Lever for Praxis in Education

Abstract

This article provides the introduction to a special issue of the Teachers College Record (TCR) “Imagining Possible Futures: Disability Critical Race Theory as a Lever for Praxis in Education”. We begin by revisiting the seven tenets of DisCrit and citing a truncated intellectual geneology. Next, we trace the importance of a TCR special issue recognizing the mutually constiutive oppressions of racism and ableism. We then briefly describe the powerful premise and substantive contributions of the eight featured articles in this special issue. Each article is featured due to its commitments to link DisCrit theory to practice – engaging praxis through empirical research and/or theoretical engagements examining higher education, teacher education, state standards, k-12 education, carceral education, and international education using a variety of rigorous methods. By taking on racism and ableism across disciplinary boundaries and geographic borders, the contributors to this special issue break open new possibilities.