Dietetics practitioners are food and nutrition experts who help people live healthier lives. They work in various settings from hospitals and research labs to sports teams, schools, nursing homes, and the food industry. Yet, despite the diversity of the populations they serve, the dietetics profession remains predominantly female, white, and able-bodied. Only 2% of dietetics practitioners self-identify as having a disability, compared to 29% of U.S. adults.

There is a growing and urgent need for more credentialed dietetics practitioners overall, and more with disabilities.

This powerful and inspiring book features the autobiographies of 15 credentialed dietetics practitioners with disabilities, who share their lived experiences navigating:

College and academic accommodations

Supervised practice internships

National credentialing exams

Employment, workplace access, and disability disclosure

Disability culture around food, nutrition, and eating

Their disabilities include cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, vision and hearing impairments, mobility disabilities, and chronic illnesses.

The book also includes eight educational chapters on topics including:

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

The Disabilities in Nutrition and Dietetics Member Interest Group

The profession and how to become a dietetics practitioner

Disability resources

Disability statistics

State vocational rehabilitation programs and centers for independent living

This book is an essential resource for:

Individuals with disabilities exploring careers in dietetics or other healthcare professions

Dietetics and healthcare students/interns with disabilities

Educators, preceptors, managers, and supervisors

Career counselors and disability services professionals

Allies, family members, and colleagues of people with disabilities

All book royalties are donated to efforts to enhance disability inclusivity in the dietetics workforce and/or to educate it about disabilities.