Whose insider perspectives count and why should we consider them?

The impact of hearing the perspective of an insider is undeniable. Within the area of disability the contributions of insider perspectives have offered a level of knowledge that is both professionally powerful and personally moving (Biklen, 2000; Campling, 1981; Crow, 1996; Tregaskis, 2003). This is as true for the perspectives of families as those of professionals (Brett, 2002; Leyser & Kirk, 2004; Mactavish & Schleien, 2004). These narratives enrich professional understandings by sharing their insider experience of disability or being the underrepresented ‘other’.