Three realities and a new-found focus: parenting and disability in a time of a pandemic

Abstract

Purpose

Framed within the bioecological model, this autoethnographic case study explores the author’s experiences as a working mother of two children with disability prior to, during and after emerging from compulsory remote learning arrangements in Victoria, Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this paper is to address this issue. The intention of this paper is to share the author's experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model was overlaid on the author’s experiences to explore direct and indirect impacts on her agency, educational priorities and personal values through each level of the model.

Findings

This research presents a new perspective for examining how the global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the equilibrium typically experienced by individuals across the education system.

Originality/value

This research presents a new perspective for examining how the global COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the equilibrium typically experienced by individuals across the education system.

Citation

Vlcek, S. (2023), "Three realities and a new-found focus: parenting and disability in a time of a pandemic", Qualitative Research Journal, Vol. 23 No. 3, pp. 298-312. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-12-2022-0162