Oscar Hughes
Doctoral Student
Oscar E. Hughes is a doctoral student in Educational Studies in the Special Education Program at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. Oscar believes that the needs and priorities expressed by people with disabilities should be central to supports, services, and research in disability and education. He is especially interested in promoting access to self-determination for students and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), so that they can have choice and control in their lives—and experience joy and fulfillment.
Before pursuing a doctorate, Oscar was a special education teacher of high school and transition-age students with I/DD. In addition to being a graduate student, he is a sexuality educator and trainer. He also works as a supporter to the Rainbow Support Groups of Massachusetts, a network of support groups run by and for LGBTQ+ adults with I/DD.
For his dissertation research, Oscar is collaborating with LGBTQ+ adults with I/DD on a project to examine the experiences and perspectives of LGBTQ+ adults with I/DD from across the country. Based on interviews and focus groups and in collaboration with an advisory board, he and his team will create a guidebook for family members and disability service providers on how to support gender and sexual self-determination for adults with I/DD.
Pronouns: he/him/his
Education
MEd, Bridgewater State University
BA, Green Mountain College
Courses
Instructor - SED SE 535: Understanding Autism
Teaching Fellow - SED SE 250: Disability, Education, and Public Policy
Selected Publications
Kim, J.H., Hughes, O.E., Demissie, S.A., Kunzier, T.J., Cheung, W.C., Monarrez, E.C., Burke, M.M., & Rossetti, Z. (in press). Lessons learned from research collaboration among people with and without developmental disabilities. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Hughes, O.E. (in press). Pedagogies of lived experience: The perspectives of people with disabilities on their educational presentations about disability topics. Disability Studies Quarterly.
Lauterbach, A. A., Bettini, E., Morris Mathews, H., Rossetti, Z., & Hughes, O. E. (2022). Beyond exploratory: How varied qualitative methodologies can inform and advance the field of special education. In B. Therrien, D. Lee, & D. Maggin (Eds.), Special Education Handbook Vol. 2: Methods, Design, and Analysis in Special Education Research.
Hughes, O.E. (2022). Supporting gender self-determination for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Inclusive Practices.
Rossetti, Z., Burke, M. M., Hughes, O., Rivera, J., Schraml-Block, K., Rios, K., Aleman Tovar, J., & Lee, J. (2021). Parent perceptions of the advocacy expectation in special education. Exceptional Children, 87(4), 438-457. https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402921994095.
Selected Presentations
Hughes, O.E. & Bosma, P. (June 2022). The Experiences and Desired Supports of LGBTQ+ Adults with I/DD. Concurrent session presented virtually at the 146th Annual Meeting of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD).
Lauterbach, A.A., Bettini, E., Morris Mathews, H., Rossetti, Z., & Hughes, O.E. (April 2022). Beyond Exploratory: How Varied Qualitative Methodologies Can Inform and Advance the Field of Special Education. Round table session accepted to the 2022 AERA Annual Meeting.
Bosma, P. & Hughes, O.E. (December 2021). Supporting LGBTQ+ People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Breakout session presented at the 2021 TASH Conference.
Hughes, O.E. & Rossetti, Z. (December 2021). Nondisabled Students’ Attitudes Towards Friendship with Peers with IDD. Breakout session presented at the 2021 TASH Conference.
Rossetti, Z. & Hughes, O.E. (June 2021). Parent Perceptions of the Advocacy Expectation in Special Education. Concurrent Session at the 145th Annual Meeting of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD).