An inspiring yet unsentimental portrait of perseverance, advocacy, and clinical excellence.
Credentialed Dietetics Practitioners with Disabilities Get the Job Done is both a professional guide and a deeply human collection of stories that expand our understanding of who belongs in the dietetics profession. Edited by Suzanne Domel Baxter and Cheryl Iny Harris, the book addresses a stark imbalance: while nearly 29% of U.S. adults live with a disability, only a small fraction of credentialed dietetics practitioners identify as disabled. Rather than relying solely on statistics, the editors center lived experience.
Across fifteen autobiographical chapters, practitioners recount navigating inaccessible classrooms, clinical rotations, and credentialing exams. One contributor reflects on the emotional toll of constant advocacy: “Navigating the world is difficult, and often made much more difficult when disabilities are also thrown in the mix.” Another reminds able-bodied readers with refreshing bluntness, “Disability access isn’t a special need… it’s literally just the bare minimum requirement.” These voices do not seek sympathy; they demand equity.
What emerges is not a narrative of limitation but of adaptation and professional strength. Many authors describe how their disabilities sharpened their empathy and clinical insight. Their experiences with chronic illness, mobility challenges, or sensory impairments inform how they counsel patients and design nutrition strategies. “Nothing about us without us,” the editors emphasize—a guiding principle that frames the entire project. The book also provides practical guidance on accommodations, disclosure, and career pathways, making it especially valuable for students and educators.
Honest, purposeful, and forward-looking, this book is a compelling call to build a profession where accessibility is the norm, not the exception.
Pub date November 27, 2024
ISBN 979-8991299312
Reading age 13-18 years
Price $24.99 (USD) Paperback, $29.99 Hardcover, $9.99 Kindle edition, $0.00 Kindle unlimited
