In this fresh effort to encourage more diversity among dietetic professionals and attract more disabled practitioners to the field, the editors have gathered 15 credentialed dietitians (RD) with disabilities to share their personal stories and professional experiences.
The contributors, including the two editors, break down negative stereotypes about disability and shine a light on challenges and successes as practitioners gain resilience and empathy and help to create a more inclusive future for RD professionals with disabilities.
The authors discuss their challenges to breaking down ableism barriers and provide practical strategies to navigate the journey to becoming credentialed and successful practitioners. For example, a blind RD uses screen readers and Braille to access nutrition information to provide patient assessment and coordinate care. A widely recognized dietitian with GI problems, including lifelong need for feeding tubes, pursued her education online and reports that she became a nutritionist to help patients like herself.
Another RD created a dietitian telehealth platform, while an RD with mobility issues authors peer-reviewed articles and is a national disability advocate. The issue of whether to participate in life is not considered, “it’s simply a matter of figuring out how, to do it” says an RD with low vision.
The authors also include vital resources: details about The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics program and its Disabilities Member Interest Group, disability resources about employment and training, rehab programs, independent living and more.
The challenges encountered by these authors with severe disabilities can be difficult to read about at times. But those contemplating a career in nutrition who also have a disability will find this an inspiring roadmap and proof that dietetics is a viable profession for individuals with disabilities. Educators, guidance counselors, HR professionals and RDs at all professional levels and settings will also find inspiration and useful strategies for supporting practitioners with disabilities in these pages.
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