The International Journal of Disability Policy & Advocacy was founded on July 1, 2024, by Richard Greggory Johnson III and Joseph Sehee with the vision of creating a scholarly space dedicated to advancing critical conversations about disability, equity, and social justice on a global scale. The founders recognized that while disability is a universal experience that touches every society, research and policy discourse too often remain fragmented, underrepresented, or narrowly defined within national or medical frameworks. Johnson, a distinguished scholar of public policy and equity, and Sehee, a seasoned and innovative disability advocate, sought to establish a platform that brings together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and activists to shape a truly international dialogue.

The journal was created to challenge barriers that have historically silenced or marginalized disabled voices in academic and policy circles. Its foundation reflects a commitment to centering lived experiences while bridging the gap between theory and practice. Johnson and Sehee believed that a journal grounded in advocacy as well as scholarship could help redefine disability not merely as a medical condition but as a matter of rights, inclusion, and human dignity. By publishing research that spans diverse cultural, political, and social contexts, the journal aspires to broaden understandings of disability and influence policy making at local, national, and international levels.

Equally important, the journal provides a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing in perspectives from public policy, law, education, health, and human rights. For Johnson and Sehee, July 1, 2024, marks more than the launch of a publication; it symbolizes a commitment to transforming how disability is studied, taught, and addressed in society. Their founding vision is one of advocacy rooted in rigorous scholarship, aimed at building more inclusive, equitable, and just societies worldwide.

The journal’s mission is to elevate the voices and expertise of scholars, advocates, policymakers, and individuals with disabilities, particularly those from historically marginalized or underrepresented communities. Its central purpose is to foster a deeper understanding of how laws, policies, institutions, and social norms shape the lived experiences of people with disabilities globally. The journal seeks to highlight intersectional perspectives that reflect the diversity of disability experiences across race, gender, sexuality, class, culture, and geography. In doing so, it positions disability not as a siloed issue but as a vital lens for understanding human rights, justice, and social transformation.

In addition to disseminating high-quality research, the International Journal of Disability Policy & Advocacy provides a critical forum for evaluating existing policies, proposing innovative reforms, and assessing the effectiveness of advocacy strategies worldwide. It aspires to shape public debate, inform decision making, and strengthen international commitment to the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.

Ultimately, the purpose of the journal is to serve as a catalyst for global dialogue and collective action, advancing inclusive societies where disability is recognized as a vital dimension of human diversity, and where policy and advocacy efforts are aligned with principles of justice, accessibility, and equal opportunity. By creating space for both academic inquiry and practitioner perspectives, the journal aims to bridge the gap between research and action, ensuring that knowledge contributes directly to empowerment, equity, and systemic change.