by Molly Menzie, MS, SLP (speech-language pathologist); NWACS board member
reading time: 4 minutes
This is a plain-language summary of a journal article. The article is one of 21 articles in a special issue of the AAC journal (Volume 41, Issue 3, 2025). All the articles are written or co-written by AAC users. The articles are free to read. Plain-language summaries of research are important for accessibility. Providing summaries in plain language helps make complex information easier to read. This helps to better understand and put the research into practice.
Summary of: A personal commentary about disability inclusion, and representation in research by Forber-Pratt (2025)
Inclusive Research
In her 2025 article, “A Personal Commentary About Disability Inclusion and Representation in Research,” Paralympic athlete, researcher, and activist Dr. Anjali J. Forber-Pratt shares a powerful message:
People with disabilities should be included in research at every level. Not just as study participants, but also as the scientists and leaders who shape what research looks like.
Her article is based on a speech she gave at the Future of AAC Research Summit in 2024. It’s part personal story and part call to action. Dr. Forber-Pratt shows why research is stronger when it includes everyone.
A Personal Story That Sparked Her Passion
Dr. Forber-Pratt became disabled as a baby. When she was little, she thought she had to “learn to walk” before she could go to college, get a job, or live on her own — because every adult she saw could walk.
That changed when she saw wheelchair racers in the Boston Marathon. Watching them showed her that people with disabilities could live full, successful lives.
One important memory she shares is from summer camp. When she was four, she noticed that her friend Jimmy (a pseudonym), who used a power wheelchair and didn’t speak, always had his dad with him. Adults said Jimmy needed his dad to help him communicate. But Anjali told them that wasn’t true — she knew what Jimmy liked just by looking into his eyes.
When the adults checked, they realized she was right. Jimmy was communicating — they just hadn’t been listening. That experience taught her an important lesson about communication and inclusion. She carried that lesson into her career.
Three Ways Research Can Be More Inclusive
Dr. Forber-Pratt says that inclusion in research needs to happen in three main ways:
Who does the research? People with disabilities, from all backgrounds, should be researchers and leaders.
Who participates in research? Studies should include people with disabilities, especially AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) users, who are often left out.
How is research shared? Photos, language, and materials should show real diversity and accurate portrayals of disability.
When all of these areas are inclusive, research becomes fairer, more accurate, and more useful.
Breaking Down the “Disability Hierarchy”
Dr. Forber-Pratt talks about something called the “disability hierarchy.” This is when society treats some disabilities as more acceptable or important than others. For example, physical disabilities are often noticed first, while learning, communication, or mental health disabilities may be ignored.
She explains that this bias can even happen inside the disability community itself. To fix this, researchers must make sure that all kinds of disabilities are represented and respected.
Why Representation Matters
Representation means seeing people who look like you or share your experiences. Dr. Forber-Pratt says that when people with disabilities see others like them as scientists, teachers, or leaders, it sends a powerful message: you belong here too.
But the numbers show that we still have a long way to go. In the U.S., only 3% of the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) workforce identifies as disabled. That number hasn’t changed in over 10 years.
She encourages researchers to be open about their disability identities in their writing and to share “positionality statements,” which explain how their experiences shape their work. This helps future students and scientists see that they can succeed too.
“Nothing About Us Without Us”
Dr. Forber-Pratt highlights a famous saying in the disability rights movement: “Nothing about us without us.”
This means people with disabilities should be involved in every part of research — from planning and collecting data to sharing results. Their voices should not be an afterthought or just a “checkbox.” Real inclusion happens when they are true partners in the work.
A Call to Be “Feisty”
Dr. Forber-Pratt ends with a quote from her mentor, disability rights leader Judy Heumann:
“I wanna see feisty disabled people change the world.”
She proudly calls herself one of those “feisty” people — someone who speaks up, challenges unfair systems, and fights for change. She invites both disabled and non-disabled people to do the same. Inclusion takes teamwork, courage, and accountability.
Why This Article Matters
Dr. Forber-Pratt’s article is more than a personal story — it’s a guide for how to make research better. She reminds us that inclusion isn’t just about being fair. It makes research stronger and more meaningful.
Her message is simple but powerful: if research is meant to help everyone, then everyone deserves to be part of it.
Citation:
Forber-Pratt, A. J. (2025). A personal commentary about disability inclusion, and representation in research. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 41(3), 195–199. https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2499685
Access the full article: https://doi.org/10.1080/07434618.2025.2499685
