Disability Studies scholar Tobin Siebers writes, "the experiences of contemporary minority people, once brought to light, resound backward in history, like a reverse echo effect, to comment on the experiences of past minority peoples." When it comes to analyzing the history of disability, who in the academy is beginning this reverse echo effect? Who is tracing the reverberations and resonances of these calls? Rarely, if ever, are disabled scholars granted the platform or stability to begin this process. In this talk, I'll explore my own embodied experiences of disability as a practical tool for my research. I'll discuss the importance of disability representation and culture in academia at large. Together, we'll consider the barriers inherent to the academy that prevent disabled scholars from building community, establishing security, and revolutionizing our respective fields of study.