From decision to settlement: how Korean immigrant parents raising a child with disabilities respond to disabling socio-educational environments

This phenomenological study examines the lived experiences of six Korean mothers who immigrated to the United States to seek more inclusive educational opportunities and post-school supports for their children with disabilities. Grounded in disability studies, the analysis traces parents’ narratives across three stages: the decision to migrate, early settlement, and long-term adjustment. Findings reveal that migration was driven by structural barriers in Korea, concerns for children’s adulthood, and parents’ belief that more supportive systems existed abroad. After immigrating, parents became proactive advocates and navigated linguistic, cultural, and bureaucratic barriers while developing expertise within U.S. service systems. Over time, parents described greater satisfaction with educational and disability services while continuing to experience emotional strain, and redefined their quality of life, independence, and belonging. This study highlights how immigration becomes a prolonged journey where families emerge as active agents in resisting disabling environments and rebuilding possibilities for their children’s futures.