The purpose of this exploratory study of disability harassment was to develop a typology of disability harassment experiences anchored in the perspectives of students with disabilities who have experienced harassment in urban, suburban, and exurban-rural schools. Based on focus group interviews with four groups of young people with various disabilities and two groups of parents of students with disabilities, the authors identified six major types of disability harassment and placed them on a continuum from least assertive to most aggressive. For each of the six types, signature behaviors were identified as was their respective frequency. Based on their findings, the authors propose several practical strategies for secondary schools (Grades 6—12) aimed at helping to address the multiple faces of this formidable challenge.
Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq. (1990).
2.
Bogdan, R.C., & Biklen, S.K. ( 1992). Qualitative research for education: An introduction to theory and methods (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
3.
Cantu, N.V., & Heumann, J.E. ( 2000). Memorandum on harassment based on disability. Washington, DC: Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.
4.
Chan, F., McMahon, B.T., Cheing, G., Rosenthal, D.A., & Bezyak, J. ( 2005). Drivers of workplace discrimination against people with disabilities: The utility of attribution theory. WORK: Journal of Prevention, Disability, and Rehabilitation, 25, 77-88.
5.
Conrad, C.F., Haworth, J.G., & Millar, S.B. ( 1993). A silent success: Master’s education in the United States. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press.
6.
Conrad, C. F., & Serlin, R. C. (Eds.). (2006). The Sage handbook for research in education: Engaging in ideas and enriching inquiry. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
7.
Corrigan, P.W., River, L.P., London, R.K., Winooski, K.U., Champion, J., Matheson, J., . . . Cubic, M.A. ( 2000). Stigmatizing attributions about mental illness. Journal of Community Psychology, 28, 91-102.
8.
Crocker, P.L. ( 1983). An analysis of university definitions of sexual harassment . Signs: Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 8, 696-707.
9.
Eisenberg, M.G. ( 1982). Disability as stigma. In M. G. Eisenberg, C. Griggins, & R. J. Duval (Eds.), Disabled people as second-class citizens (pp. 1-11). New York, NY: Springer.
10.
Fink, A. ( 1995). How to analyze survey data. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
11.
Hamilton, J.A., Alagna, S.W., King, L.S., & Lloyd, C. ( 1987). The emotional consequences of gender-based abuse in the workplace: New counseling programs for sex discrimination. Women and Therapy, 6, 155-182.
12.
Hanley-Maxwell, C., Szymanski, E.M., & Owens-Johnson, L. (1998). School-to-adult life transition and supported employment. In R. M. Parker & E. M. Szymanski (Eds.), Rehabilitation counseling: Basics and beyond (3rd ed., pp. 143-179). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed .
13.
Hergert, L.F. ( 2004, May). Bullying and students with disabilities: Summary report of parent focus groups. Boston, MA: Federation for Children With Special Needs.
14.
Holzbauer, J.J. ( 2002). Disability harassment in the workplace. Published doctoral dissertation, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ann Arbor, MI: Pro Quest.
15.
Holzbauer, J.J. ( 2004), Disability harassment of students in transition from school to work: Implications for rehabilitation counseling. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 35, 3-7.
16.
Holzbauer, J.J. ( 2008). Disability harassment observed by teachers in special education. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 19, 162-171.
17.
Holzbauer, J.J., & Berven, N.L. ( 1996). Disability harassment: A new term for a long-standing problem. Journal of Counseling and Development, 74, 478-483.
18.
Hoppe, M.J., Wells, E.A., Morrison, D.M., Gillmore, M.R., & Wilsdon, A. ( 1995). Using focus groups to discuss sensitive topics with children . Evaluation Review, 19, 102-114.
19.
Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq. (2004).
20.
Jarrett, R.L. ( 1993). Focus group interviewing with low-income, minority populations: A research experience. In D. L. Morgan (Ed.), Successful focus groups: Advancing the state of the art (pp. 184-201). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
21.
Linn, E., & Rousso, H. ( 2001). Stopping sexual harassment in schools. In H. Rousso & M. L. Wehmeyer (Eds.), Double jeopardy: Addressing gender equity in special education (pp. 185-204). Albany: State University of New York Press.
22.
Maxwell, J.A. ( 1998). Designing a qualitative study. In L. Bickman & D. J. Rog (Eds.), Handbook of applied social research methods (pp. 69-100). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
23.
McMahon, B.T., Chan, F., Shaw, L.R., Wilson, L.M., Holzbauer, J.J., & Hurley, J. ( 2006). Predictors of disability harassment and intimidation in the workplace: Empirical analysis of EEOC ADA data. Career Planning and Adult Development Journal, 21, 103-124.
Morgan, D.L. ( 1993). Future directions for focus groups. In D. L. Morgan (Ed.), Successful focus groups: Advancing the state of the art (pp. 225-244). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Morgan, D.L. ( 1998). The focus group guidebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
28.
Overlien, C., Aronsson, K., & Hyden, M. ( 2005). The focus group interview as an in-depth method? Young women talking about sexuality. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 8, 331-344.
29.
Race, K.E., Hotch, D.F., & Packer, T. ( 1994). Rehabilitation program evaluation: Use of focus groups to empower clients. Evaluation Review, 18, 730-740.
30.
Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq. (1973).
31.
Rubin, S.E., & Roessler, R.T. (2007). Foundations of the vocational rehabilitation process (6th ed.). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed.
32.
Sheard, C., Clegg, J., Standen, P., & Cromby, J. ( 2001). Bullying and people with severe intellectual disability . Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 45, 407-415.
33.
Stewart, D.W., & Shamdasani, P.N. (1998). Focus group research: Exploration and discovery. In L. Bickman & D. J. Rog (Eds.), Handbook of applied social research methods (pp. 505-526). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Vash, C. ( 1981). The psychology of disability. New York, NY: Springer.
36.
Weber, M.C. ( 2002). Disability harassment in the public schools. William and Mary Law Review, 43(3), 1079-1158.
37.
Weber, M.C. ( 2007). Disability harassment. New York: New York University Press.
38.
Wehman, P. (Ed.). (1997). Life beyond the classroom: Transitions strategies for young people with disabilities (2nd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Brookes .
39.
Weiner, B., Perry, R.P., & Magnusson, J. ( 1988). An attributional analysis of reactions to stigmas. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 55, 738-748.
40.
Williams, C. ( 1993). Vulnerable victims? A current awareness of the victimization of people with learning disabilities. Disability, Handicap & Society, 8, 161-172.
41.
Wright, B.A. ( 1983). Physical disability: A psychosocial approach (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Harper-Collins.
