They take a growing number of calls from young disabled people who have had children and need advice. The creation of the center comes at a time of increasing visibility for disabled parents. A study by Berkeley Planning Associates estimates that 7 million parents with disabilities have children under age 18 living with them. Compared with disabled adults without children, the study shows, disabled parents are more likely to have attended college and to be working. They also have higher household incomes, although their average income is substantially lower than that of nondisabled parents.
Some disabled parents acknowledge, however, a lack of motivation or ability to make parenting work.
But with simple supportive devices, say leaders in the field, most people who are disabled can raise their children. Motivation and intelligence are more important than lifting and walking ability, research shows. Once a house or apartment is set up to ensure the safety and convenience of both parent and child, families with disabled members can thrive. A Disabled Mother's Journey Through Adoption, Family, and Life. The author, journalist and critic Denise Sherer Jacobson, is a friend of Kirshbaum's and a fellow researcher.