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This article explores the experiences of graduates with invisible disabilities on how they define and assess their disability and how it influences their persistence and the completion of their studies. The study involved 29 graduates with self-identified invisible disabilities from Italian and Spanish universities. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data were analysed following an inductive category and coding system. According to the obtained results, the graduates considered that invisible disability was overlooked, as it goes unnoticed and is more difficult to detect or accept than a visible disability. They also thought of their own disability as being invisible. During their university studies, they faced difficulties such as a poor understanding of their disability and a general lack of social awareness, highlighting how stigma and stereotypes surrounded these disabilities. It was also evident that disability had a negative impact on their university studies, slowing down their trajectories and causing additional challenges, such as studying longer or accepting lower grades. The article concludes that social awareness-raising actions are necessary to promote positive perceptions of disabilities and to combat stereotypes and prejudices. It is crucial to stop viewing disability as a problem and to learn to recognise and celebrate diversity in society and within universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study draws from learning ecologies as a framework of analysis in order to explore the activities, resources and relationships practised by 25 Spanish faculty members who teach in the area of Education. Their students nominated them as inclusive faculty. Individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted. The results show that the activities, resources and relationships are multiple, diverse and learner-centred. This paper concludes that teaching student teachers involve being consistent and acting as a role model, by being coherent and an inclusive faculty in the university classes. These faculty voices provide recommendations on how universities should teach with a view to promote lifelong learning in which all students feel welcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This systematic review explores the benefits and difficulties of using technology for the learning of university students with disabilities in both face-to-face and distance learning. Three databases were searched: ERIC, Scopus and Web of Science. The review included 14 articles that met all the inclusion criteria. All the included articles were qualitative studies involving 240 students and 143 faculty members. The data were analyzed using an inductive system of categories and codes. The results are organized around five themes: characteristics of the studies, technological resources most commonly used in university teaching, benefits of technology for learning, difficulties in using technology, and valuation of virtual teaching environments. The discussion and conclusions highlight the positive aspects of technology in the learning of students with disabilities, and warn of the need to improve faculty training and inclusive policies to ensure an effective and accessible use of technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the voices of 100 Spanish teachers from Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary and Higher Education who carry out inclusive practices, this study explores the recommendations of these professionals for other colleagues to be inclusive. We conducted a qualitative multicase study using semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed through an inductive category and coding system. The findings are presented based on four topics: teacher planning, methodologies, ethical and emotional competences, and training. The results show similarities and differences between the guidelines given at different educational levels. This research provides practical lessons and it highlights that it is possible to be inclusive at any educational stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the rapid growth in inclusive university programs, access to inclusive higher education is still limited for students with intellectual disability (ID). This article explores the perspectives of 34 students with ID on their motives for accessing the inclusion and job placement programs at three Spanish universities and the external factors that contributed to their studying at the university. The study used a qualitative methodology based on a phenomenological approach using semi-structured interviews that had previously been validated and piloted. The data were analyzed using an inductive category and code system. The results addressed four questions: What is the participant's academic pathway? What is their job profile? What are their reasons for studying at the university? What are the external factors that influenced their studying at the university? The study concludes that higher education can be an invaluable tool to foster the workplace inclusion of individuals with ID and promote their independent living. Furthermore, the family, organizations, and third-sector entities, as well as collaboration among them, emerged as key contextual factors for access to higher education and the personal and professional development of individuals with ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Iberoamericana de Evaluación Educativa is the property of Red Iberoamericana de Investigacion sobre Cambio y Eficacia Escolar and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article explores the beliefs of 25 Spanish primary education teachers who develop inclusive pedagogy when planning and implementing actions for all students. We used a qualitative methodology and the data were gathered through semi-structured and in-depth interviews. We analysed the data using an inductive coding system. The results revealed the beliefs of the participants about diversity and inclusive education, their professional self-concept, how they understood learning and their beliefs about their self-efficacy as teachers. These teachers showed a humanistic perspective that welcomes diversity and they felt responsible for the presence, learning, happiness and success of all their students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract \nPoints of interest This systematic review explores the research carried out to date on invisible disabilities and higher education. Out of a total of 443 studies, with no time restrictions in the search, 16 articles met the inclusion criteria. These included both qualitative and quantitative studies and involved a total of 1431 students with hidden disabilities. Following data analysis, based on a system of categories and codes, the results help answer five questions: What are the characteristics of the studies conducted in terms of country, participants and methodology? Why do students with invisible disabilities choose not to disclose their disability? How does non-disclosure of disability affect students’ retention and success in higher education? What barriers do students with invisible disabilities encounter in higher education? How are students with invisible disabilities supported in their academic success? The conclusions warn about the risk of not making disability visible and forgoing the accommodations that are necessary for the progression and completion of studies in institutions that still have a long way to go before becoming truly inclusive.This paper explores the research carried out to date on hidden disabilities and higher education.Disclosure of disability is a complicated issue and it is up to students to decide whether or not to do it.Students with hidden disabilities face frequent barriers that hinder their university experiences.Most students with invisible disabilities prefer not to be seen and renounce the supports they are entitled to in order to avoid the label of disability.When disability is not visible, students face numerous threats that may jeopardise their university experience.Inclusive teaching practices based on the social model of disability and Universal Design for Learning are necessary in HE to promote student retention and academic success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the most effective methodological strategies used by inclusive faculty from different knowledge areas to ensure that all students learn and succeed in their courses. A qualitative study was carried out and interviews were held with 119 Spanish faculty members from arts and humanities, STEM, health sciences, social and legal sciences and education sciences. The results are presented by knowledge area, followed by an analysis of the differences and similarities between them. The findings reveal that, despite belonging to different disciplines, inclusive faculty members use similar methodological strategies that welcome all students and do not differentiate in their practice between students with and without disabilities. The findings also indicate that faculty use a variety of methodological strategies, with active and participatory ones being considered most effective. This study shows that the methodological strategies that are effective for students in general are also effective for those with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how 119 Spanish lecturers nominated by their students with disabilities as being inclusive define themselves in terms of their professional and personal attributes. It also analyses how these attributes influence student learning and explores the profile of an ideal inclusive lecturer. We conduct- individual interviews. Three major findings emerged from the data: (1) lecturers facilitate the learning of all students; (2) the professional and personal attributes of lecturers influence students’ success at university; and (3) the way lecturers define themselves and their beliefs regarding what an inclusive lecturer should be like are practically identical. This paper concludes that the narratives of these lecturers may perhaps serve to encourage other professionals to understand the importance of these personal and professional characteristics and readjust their practice in collaboration with colleagues. They may also help lecturers realise that inclusive teaching is something which can be learned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores conceptions of disability in education. Available evidence published in the scientific literature over the last ten years is reviewed, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria established. A total of 561 studies were found, of which 18 were included in this article. The topics are classified following a thematic analysis that include: (1) conceptions of disability among teachers and students in different educational stages and influence of conceptions of disability on attitudes and actions for inclusive education; (2) impact of training on conceptions of disability. This systematic review reveals that most of the studies coincide in identifying conceptions linked to the deficit or medical model, finding that these prompt negative attitudes that do not facilitate the development of inclusive education. However, as other studies point out, conceptions are dynamic, not static, and can be transformed through disability and/or inclusive education training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pedagogy Studies / Pedagogika is the property of Vytautas Magnus University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Pedagogy Studies / Pedagogika is the property of Vytautas Magnus University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article aims to contribute to the debate on how different educational contexts can facilitate the inclusion or exclusion of people with intellectual disabilities (ID). We carried out a qualitative study based on the principles of inclusive research with 36 Spanish adults with ID. The data were gathered through individual interviews, which were transcribed, summarized, and adapted for later analysis and coding with participants. Together with participants, we coded the interviews into two main categories: "mainstream schools" and "special schools." The results revealed the experiences of people with ID in mainstream schools, resource rooms, and special education schools, analyzing their preferences for regular or special contexts. The main conclusions drawn suggest that people with ID had both negative and positive experiences of inclusion at mainstream schools. Nevertheless, they preferred regular contexts, valued the help provided by SEN support teachers, and highlighted the importance of adjusting the curriculum to students' educational needs. They also emphasized the need for greater empathy from classmates at mainstream schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a series of key aspects to achieve inclusive education in Spanish universities, from the viewpoint of students with disabilities and disability support service staff. The study used a qualitative methodology through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was inductive, through a system of categories and codes. Results revealed various essential aspects to facilitate inclusive education: the positive attitude of the faculty members towards students with disabilities promotes the inclusive education, the need to make reasonable adjustments (methodologies, evaluation systems, and resources) to guarantee the learning of students with disabilities, and the use of technologies to facilitate access to learning. Results allowed us to conclude that the faculty was a key figure in the inclusion of students with disabilities and it's necessary a universal learning design approach into practice to benefit all students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of REICE. Ibero-American Journal on Quality, Effectiveness & Change in Education / REICE. Revista Iberoamericana Sobre Calidad, Eficacia y Cambio en Educación is the property of Red Iberoamericana de Investigacion sobre Cambio y Eficacia en Educacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• External factors and university success. • Italian Graduates with disabilities. • Family, peers, faculty and disability offices as the main factors that influenced permanence at university. • Graduates with disabilities recommend the need to provide more information to both students with disabilities and faculty. This article explores the external factors that have influenced the university success of graduates with invisible disabilities and the recommendations they make to universities to encourage students with disabilities to stay and successfully complete their degrees. This qualitative study involved interviews with 15 graduates from eight Italian universities. The results identified family, peers, faculty, and disability offices as the main factors that influenced their continuation with university studies. Recommendations included the need to provide more information to both students with disabilities (about the services that universities offer to support them) and faculty (about the students with disabilities they have in their classrooms and the necessary accommodations). These factors can be seen as levers for inclusion that benefit the whole university community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pedagogy Studies / Pedagogika is the property of Vytautas Magnus University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study examined the barriers and supports to inclusive education identified by university students with disabilities in Spain. A qualitative methodology is used. Students identified several organizational and architectural barriers and supports in completing their degrees. The conclusions go back to the main ideas analyzed to discuss previous works; likewise, proposals for improvements are provided, such as the need to train faculty in inclusive education and universal design for learning and the importance of redesigning learning environments to make them more accessible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the experience of 20 Spanish faculty members who teach students with disabilities. We conducted semi‐structured individual and group interviews, and analysed the data using an inductive system of categories and codes. The results of this work describe the difficulties that faculty members encountered when including students with disabilities, and how they attended, through reasonable adjustments, to the educational needs of their students. Their testimonies produced a profile of professionals who recognise their own shortcomings while valuing the actions that they have undertaken in order to meet the needs of their students. From their perspective, these actions were more closely linked to their own willingness and the students' efforts than to the training they had received on disability. In this sense, the present study shows that universities must provide more meaningful training in the field of disability and make firm institutional commitments to supporting their faculty members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we analyse the characteristics that define an ideal school, from the perspective of people with intellectual disabilities. we carried out an inclusive research qualitative study with 36 Spanish adults with intellectual disabilities. Information from individual interviews about educational inclusion was summarized on to notecards, allowing participants to place messages into categories on a poster board. Identified themes included facilities and resources; values and rules; intimidation; what students learn; how students learn best; exams; teachers; and classmates. Results highlight the importance of inclusive values and the need for a curriculum that meets the needs of all students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyses the university experiences of 44 students with disabilities. The voices of Spanish students describe the reasons that lead them to choose a given university degree, their transition in the university, the perception they have of themselves as students and how they evaluate their academic results. This study was done with the biographical-narrative methodology using several different data collection techniques, such as narrative interviews, lifelines and photographs. Data analysis was based on an inductive coding system. The results of this study have enabled us to conclude that most of the students chose their degree course because they had a vocation for it, although their disability also influenced their decision. Some students had such a hard time during their first year that they had to change their course of studies. They thought they had to make a stronger effort than the rest of their fellow students, defined themselves as fighters and survivors, and valued this willpower as their main personal asset, above the outcome achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors conducted this study at a Spanish university to find out what barriers and aids students with disabilities identified during their university trajectories. The authors used a biographical narrative method, and specifically, life histories. Our analysis concentrated on the life-lines and interviews, showing the histories of three students with disabilities. We analyzed data through a narrative system, approaching each life history separately and making a global analysis of it. The results section presents the university trajectory of three students with disability, Javier, Luz María and José Manuel. Each student made a personal narration of his own university experience in a first-person history, describing aids and barriers. The conclusions discuss the main barriers and facilitators each student perceived at the university and suggest the potential of this technique for construing life histories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes the functioning of disability support offices and their contribution to inclusive education in seven Spanish universities from the perspective of staff. Using a qualitative methodology, interviews with office staff were conducted, and data were analyzed through an inductive coding system. The results are organized around five themes: characteristics of disability support offices, staff training, functions performed by different services, barriers and opportunities identified by office staff, and proposals to improve attention given to disabled students. Information gathered leads to the conclusion that the work carried out in disability support offices must receive support from universities, as these offices are a key element for the access and retention of students with disabilities in the university and for the successful completion of their studies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article presents the results of a project entitled, ‘Analysis of University Barriers and Aids Identified by Students with Disabilities’, carried out in a Spanish University. The study used the biographical–narrative methodology, which emphasises the importance of people talking about themselves without silencing their subjectivity. Different types of data collection instruments, such as biographic interview, timelines and photography, were employed to acquire this information. The Results section presents proposals made by students with disabilities which could contribute to developing a more inclusive university. Some of their suggestions were that students with disabilities should be better informed and oriented, academic staff should be better trained to favour their educational inclusion, the settings and infrastructures should be accessible, and universities should be prepared to deal with people with disabilities. The conclusions discuss the main findings of the analysis, comparing them with other previous studies, and making some proposals that help universities progress towards inclusive education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The partial results of ongoing research in the ‘University Barriers and Aids Identified by Students with Disabilities’ Project are presented. This four-year study (2011–2014) was carried out by a University of Seville research team with lecturers from a variety of fields and areas of knowledge (Educational Sciences, Economics, Health Sciences and Experimental Sciences). The general aim was to discover, from listening to the students themselves, barriers and aids they identified as affecting access, academic performance and overall perception of their higher education experience. The biographical narrative method, which allows the participants to talk freely about themselves without silencing their subjectivity, was used. This information was acquired by data collection techniques, such as in-depth interviews, observations, photographs and interviews with key persons in the life of each student. A structural analysis was implemented using an inductive system of categories and codes included in the MaxODA10 data analysis program. This study revealed the most personal and private feelings of the participants as they discussed such things as their perception as students, identification of disabilities or their strategies for facing ‘adversities’. The discourse revealed higher education as a privileged scenario in which they are socially included and able to reinvent an identity that may have deteriorated during other stages of their education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implementing the principles of inclusive education within higher education can be challenging. Inclusive education was originally developed for younger students, prior to its application within higher education. However, as more students with disabilities successfully complete their early schooling, the need to move towards inclusive practices within higher education has increased. The purpose of this article is to offer thoughts on inclusive practices within higher education. The paper is organised into three sections: a description of the current situation of inclusive education in relation to students with disabilities in higher education; a review of the literature focused on students with disabilities and on faculty members within higher education; and a discussion of how moving the university towards an inclusive setting requires designing policies, strategies, processes and actions that contribute to ensuring the success of all the students. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper presents an analysis of how lecturers respond to students with disabilities, the initial question being: do lecturers aid or hinder students? Findings pertain to a broader research project employing a non-usual research methodology in higher education research and students with disabilities: the biographical-narrative methodology. The general aim is to analyse - by listening to the students themselves - barriers and support identified as affecting access, academic performance and overall perception of the higher education ( HE) experience. This paper focuses only on the role that lecturers play in the inclusive education of students with disabilities. Unlike other international research, this paper has explored the barriers and support differentiating between five fields of knowledge: Health Sciences, Experimental Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering and Technology and Humanities. As mentioned above, the present paper focuses specifically on one of the objectives of our research project: making an analysis of lecturer-centred data obtained by means of biographical-narrative methodology, by the first time in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study provides partial findings from research currently underway at the University of Seville: 'Hurdles & Help as Perceived by University Students Disabilities'. (Directed by Dr. Anabel Moriña, project funding: MICINN, I+D+I, ref. EDU 2010-16264). How does the university, as an institution, open doors and/or put hurdles in the way of students with special needs? The present study adopts a qualitative methodological approach. More specifically, biographic-narrative methods are employed to give shape to a series of life stories. A wide range of data gathering techniques were used, including discussion groups, in-depth interviews, classroom observation sessions, photographs, biograms, etc. Data analysis was carried out in two phases. In the first, the focus was on individual life stories. The second phase involved applying comparative data analysis methods to transcriptions of documents generated using aforementioned methods, in line with Miles and Huberman (1994). Maxqda10 data analysis software was the tool of choice. Results will be discussed with the following questions as a backdrop: Is the University inclusive? We will analyse institutional barriers and aids, as perceived by the students themselves. Architectural and structural hurdles affecting access to university classrooms, infrastructures and other spaces will be assessed here. Finally, we will take a closer look at student expectations with respect to their conception of the ideal university. Is the University an institution that opens or closes its doors to students with disabilities? Based on the analysis in the previous section, a number of conclusions can be reached. The first and foremost is the fact that the students coincided in their opinions, independently of the disability they might have and the courses studied, both when identifying help and barriers. Having said that, the number of barriers identified surpassed the help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a research project "deleted title for anonymous review" financed by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain. The purpose was to study, from the perspective of students with disabilities, the factors that contribute to their academic success (access, retention and college completion), through their family, social and academic support networks. The methodology used was the biographical narrative. The study used various techniques of data collection: group and individual interviews, lifelines, self-reports and photographs. Data analysis was done using a system of categories and codes. Results analyzes family, social and academic support networks in terms of what and how people who make up these networks to help them in their college careers do. College students with disabilities identified several people who have been key in access, and in their careers as well as their academic performance. In the conclusions is discussed the importance of having strong support networks to contribute to the educational and social inclusion. It is recommended that the university becomes resilient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate policies for faculty training in diversity continue to be pending on the agendas of many universities. This paper presents the recommendations of 44 university students with disabilities not only for adequate faculty training, but also on informing them on both matters of the disability itself and how to respond to the needs derived from it. The data analyzed come from research funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness ‘University Barriers and Aids Identified by Students with Disabilities’, which has been underway since 2011. A biographical-narrative methodology was used. The university life histories of the students were compiled by making use of in-depth interviews, lifelines and photographs. The conclusions of the study discuss the main results along with other previous studies, and recommendations are made so universities can provide training plans leading to inclusive education and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper pertains to a broader biographical-narrative research project which studies barriers and support as identified by students with disabilities at a Spanish University (Barriers and Support That Disabled Students Identify in the University. Project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Dir. Dr Anabel Moriña; Ref. EDU 2010–16264, 2010–2014)). The present study focuses specifically on barriers and support identified by students with disabilities enrolled in undergraduate programmes in the Social Sciences and Law. The purpose of this paper is to analyse, from the point of view of disabled students (applying the biographic-narrative methodology), which barriers and which support this group encounters in Higher Education. To this end, findings are organised in the following categories: general institutional data; infrastructure, architectural and accessibility-related data; faculty and teaching-related data; data relating to fellow students; and suggestions for improving the university and/or university classrooms. In the Conclusions section, we return to our earlier discussion of key findings which shed some light on how the University helps or hinders learning among participants in the study. From this perspective, taking as a reference the social model of disability, we conclude that in order to be inclusive, the University needs to commit itself to adopting proactive measures that eliminate the barriers that do not permit the learning and the full participation of the students in question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the development of new virtual environments as a complementary tool to face-to-face teaching and the increased presence of students with disabilities at university classrooms are changing the landscape of university teaching. This article analyses the actions of faculty members who carry out inclusive practices in the context of technological platforms. The research was based on the assumptions of the qualitative paradigm, using individual semi-structured interviews with 119 faculty members from 10 Spanish public universities. The results show the reasons for inclusive learning with technological platforms, the use that faculty members make of these platforms in their inclusive educational practices, and the influence of these on the learning of students, especially students with disabilities. The conclusions give a good account of the conditions that determine the pedagogical use that faculty members make of virtual environments to facilitate the inclusion of students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study, framed in the context of the I+D+i project on "Inclusive Teaching Practices with Emerging Technologies (m-learning): Design, Development and Evaluation of a Faculty Training Program" (US-1381423), analyzes university faculty experiences in responding to the needs of students with disabilities, as well as the difficulties that arise in this work. To carry out the study, we conducted semistructured group and individual interviews with twenty faculty members. We then analyzed the data through an inductive system of categories and codes. The results of this work describe teachers' actions in response to the educational needs of students with disabilities. The conclusions indicate the need for training in disability issues, while the university is urged to extend a firm institutional commitment to supporting and training faculty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]