Carlyn's Story

Board Member

Dr. Carlyn Mueller is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Based on her lived experience as a student with cerebral palsy and learning disabilities who was in special education, she is interested in creating community and school environments that center disability community, culture and pride. Her research interests are focused on disability identity development in youth, broadly how youth understand their disability labels and how those understandings shape their school experiences.

​Serving on the Access to Independence Board offers an opportunity to link her personal and academic interests with broader disability community goals. Carlyn received her PhD from the University of Washington in 2019, where she served several local boards and organizations in Seattle focused on disability community issues. In her free time, Carlyn enjoys spending time with her tiny Chihuahua, Lou.