Free to Publish, Free to Read: Elevating Diamond Open-Access Journals in Special Education and Related Fields

Abstract:  Contemporary scholarly publishing is dominated by large, for-profit publishers whose business models restrict access to research and prioritize profit. These constraints are particularly problematic in applied fields such as special education, where educators, families, and policymakers rely on research to inform practice but are often excluded by paywalls. Diamond open-access (DOA) publishing, defined as free to publish and free to read, offers a promising alternative that aligns with values of equity, accessibility, and community-driven scholarship. This paper examines the limitations of the current publishing ecosystem, situates DOA within the broader landscape of open-access models, and synthesizes the benefits and challenges. Although DOA journals enhance equity and may increase scholarly impact, they face barriers related to sustainability, visibility, and prestige. To address these challenges, we introduce the Alliance of Open Access Special Education Journals (www.OpenSEAJournals.com), a collaborative network designed to strengthen DOA publishing through shared visibility, community building, and advocacy. We describe the Alliance’s guiding principles, member journals, and strategic initiatives. We conclude with a call to action urging scholars to actively support DOA through submission, review, dissemination, and institutional advocacy. Advancing DOA publishing represents a critical step toward a more equitable, accessible, and impactful system of scholarship in special education and related fields.