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Higher education continually seeks new approaches to support students with various learning needs. At present, Finland attempts to provide such support through accessibility and reasonable accommodation efforts, but students with learning disabilities may still encounter many barriers in their studies. One approach suggested to meet the needs of a diverse student population is the flipped classroom. While substantial research exists about its benefits and drawbacks, less is known from the perspective of students who have a history of receiving pedagogical support. Therefore, the present study examined the experience and performance of these students in flipped higher education courses. Results indicated no difference in the academic performance of learners with a history of support compared to those without. Students with a history of support needs reported a lower assessment of self-regulation and self-efficacy for learning, and experienced the flipped courses as more difficult. However, they favored more collaboration in general and in the flipped classroom approach in particular. Additionally, regression models indicated that achievement in flipped courses was explained primarily from the lack of regulation and guidance perspectives. These findings suggest new insights for teaching those with learning disabilities, particularly the support a flipped classroom may provide, but developing a more in-depth understanding is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This survey study investigated understanding and use of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), self-advocacy, self-determination, and campus resources by college students with disabilities. Thirty-one students registered with a student disability office at a Midwestern state university completed an anonymous survey. Thirty-two percent of participants reported that they knew how to advocate for their own education before beginning college. A majority of participants displayed strong understanding of self-determination, self-advocacy, and campus resources, but reported a weak understanding about the ADA. Participants reported stronger agreement on their use of self-determination and self-advocacy skills than on campus resources. Their lowest score was for their use of self-advocacy skill when their legal rights had to be voiced. These students' lack of understanding of their legal rights and limited self-advocacy skills in protecting their legal rights suggest implications for both transition services in high school and support services at the college level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This survey study investigated understanding and use of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), self-advocacy, self-determination, and campus resources by college students with disabilities. Thirty-one students registered with a student disability office at a Midwestern state university completed an anonymous survey. Thirty-two percent of participants reported that they knew how to advocate for their own education before beginning college. A majority of participants displayed strong understanding of self-determination, self-advocacy, and campus resources, but reported a weak understanding about the ADA. Participants reported stronger agreement on their use of self-determination and self-advocacy skills than on campus resources. Their lowest score was for their use of self-advocacy skill when their legal rights had to be voiced. These students’ lack of understanding of their legal rights and limited self-advocacy skills in protecting their legal rights suggest implications for both transition services in high school and support services at the college level.

Higher education institutions have mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for students wishing to return to an on-campus, in-person learning experience. However, college students with disabilities (SWDs) may be hesitant to take a COVID-19 vaccine for a variety of reasons, possibly delaying or denying these students’ access to higher education. Yet, an under-researched aspect of COVID-19 vaccinations and related communication is whether college students with disabilities understand that the COVID-19 vaccine is free and whether that understanding varies by intersectional identities. As a result, this study’s research team surveyed 245 college students with disabilities to explore these students’ knowledge of vaccine costs and whether differences exist between groups. Data suggests many college students with disabilities do not know that COVID-19 vaccinations are free: White/Caucasian SWDs were most aware of COVID-19 vaccines being free (23.6%), while Latinx students were least aware (1.3%). Moreover, women were more aware of free COVID-19 vaccines (14.8%) than men (11.4%), first generation college students were more aware (15.6%) than non-first generation college students (12.2%), and full-time students (19%) were more aware than part-time students (8.9%). Overall, less than 25% of SWDs understood that COVID-19 vaccines are free. Implications for health communication, vaccine awareness, and education policy are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective and Methods: The study examined sexual victimization among college students with disabilities (n = 187) using an online survey at a large southern university. Students reported one or multiple disabilities: physical disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)/Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), learning disabilities, and emotional disabilities, with most students reporting more than one disability. Results: Overall, 71% of the sample experienced one or more types of lifetime sexual assault and/or rape, and 51% reported sexual victimization since attending the university. There were no significant differences in experiencing sexual assault and/or rape between students with one disability compared to students with more than one disability. Conclusions: Considering the high rates of sexual victimization among students with disabilities, and the dearth of research focusing on the context of sexual assault in this population, future research and research-based prevention initiatives are needed. Findings can inform future prevention efforts to address sexual violence among students with disabilities on campuses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This one-year follow-up study examined the changes of impact of using social media among college students with disabilities from the initial survey. 193 students completed the follow-up survey of the 341 who agreed to participate. Paired t-test compared the changes in social media usage between the two surveys. Multiple linear regressions examined the relationship of social media use variables and social media addiction, career networking, disability subtypes between the two surveys. The daily average time spent on social media remained similar over one year. However, the level of social media addiction increased, especially among male students. One positive change was that students spent more time using social media for career networking purposes. Public awareness and education of social media addiction should be raised. Additionally, students could benefit from being guided and encouraged to use social media for positive activities such as career networking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the use of social media and its impact on the college life of students with disabilities. 341 college students who identified as having disabilities were recruited from two universities in the Northeastern United. Multivariate multiple regression models examined the relationship between social media use and academic achievement, social connectedness, and work preparedness. The findings indicate that students' GPA was not associated with any social media use variables, but the time spent on using social media was negatively associated with the work hope and social connectedness. Social media learning was positively associated with work preparedness and social connectedness. The study findings suggest that social media used for learning purposes can have a positive impact on career and social development among college students with disabilities. However, the time spent for non-learning purposes did not show positive benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students with dyslexia face particular challenges in higher education. Individuals with disabilities have a right to accommodations to guarantee equal opportunities and participation in education. The present study addresses (1) the frequency of functioning and participation problems of students with dyslexia in higher education, (2) the teaching and evaluation methods during which the functioning and participation problems emerge, and (3) the effectiveness of accommodations perceived by students with dyslexia. Results showed that students with dyslexia primarily have problems with reading comprehension, reading speed, spelling and text writing. Furthermore, most students with dyslexia experience more problems during classical teaching (e.g. lecture) or classical evaluation methods (e.g. written exam with open questions) than during dynamic or activating teaching methods (e.g. excursion or internship) or alternative evaluation methods (e.g. peer evaluation). Finally, perception of the effectiveness of accommodations depends strongly on the individual functioning and participation problems students with dyslexia experienced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the role that syllabi play in the current system of disability accommodations, and how disabled students use syllabi as a rhetorical tool in their approach to disability disclosure. I offer strategies for teachers to gauge how their syllabi encourage or discourage agentive disclosure of disability accommodations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a global and multifaceted impact on public health. Marginalized and vulnerable populations, such as college students and postdoctoral fellows with disabilities or pre-existing conditions, are being disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Various barriers contribute to an individual’s intentions to seek mental health help, but with COVID-19’s unprecedented permeability, more research is needed to support this student population. This phenomenological study explored the coping strategies and help-seeking behaviors of college students and postdoctoral fellows with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using semi-structured, in-depth interviews from fall 2020 (n = 36) and spring 2021 (n = 28), a thematic analysis was conducted. The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping was used to triangulate findings, to better understand the relationship between perceived stressors, coping mechanisms, and psychological outcomes. The findings show that (1) college students with disabilities coped in multiple ways (i.e., behavioral, relational, and mental), with some noting improvements in their coping abilities by spring, and (2) stigma prevented college students with disabilities from seeking help when needed. These findings emphasize the need for higher education to address ableism and use factors beneficial to fostering resiliency (i.e., social support, optimism, and self-advocacy) among college students with disabilities.

As a form of assessment, examinations are designed to determine whether students have met learning outcomes. However, students with disabilities report avoiding examinations, selecting units of study where the assessments align with their strengths. To ensure examinations do not contribute to the systematic exclusion of students with disabilities, it is important to explore their experiences. In this paper, we use a sociomaterial frame to analyse how examination arrangements construct inclusion in examinations. Interviews with 40 students were conducted across two universities. Inclusion or exclusion was variably constituted for students through emergent combinations of social and material arrangements. Covid-19 pandemic related social distancing related changes such as shifting examinations online, using technology, increasing time limits and moving to open-book examinations contributed to increased inclusion for most students, who were able to use familiar equipment in spaces they had adapted to their own needs. Staff acceptance and implementation of access requirements and assessment flexibility also contributed. While the attitudes and actions of staff involved in examinations can facilitate inclusion, reducing the need for adjustments through assessment design is important. This requires consideration of how time, technology, equipment and materials contribute to inclusion or exclusion, which may have benefits for many students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their significant influence on the experiences of disabled college students, disability resource professionals are provided limited guidance on how to carry out the functions of their role. As a result, during the accommodations process, disability resource professionals generally rely on their instincts and "gut" reactions when responding to accommodation requests after quickly processing information from a student's self‐report and relevant medical documentation. However, hidden within these quick decisions are disability resource professionals' positionalities—or frameworks for considering the world—that have an innate influence on the outcome of accommodation decisions and, ultimately, disabled students' access to higher education. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore disability resource professionals' views on positionality in the context of higher education disability resources and its relationship to accommodation decision‐making. After a review of findings from interviews with 13 disability resource professionals, the authors conclude with recommendations for higher education disability resources and directions for future research. Practical Implications: It is important for disability resource professionals to cyclically examine their positionalities (e.g., identities, experiences) before, during, and following the accommodations process and working with disabled college students.When examining their positionalities, disability resource professionals should critically examine their positions in relation to power and privilege, with a focus on their reactions to students' identities and experiences.Leadership in the field of higher education disability resources should also create time and space for disability resource professionals to engage in meaningful positionality‐focused professional development opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a global and multifaceted impact on public health. Marginalized and vulnerable populations, such as college students and postdoctoral fellows with disabilities or pre-existing conditions, are being disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Various barriers contribute to an individual's intentions to seek mental health help, but with COVID-19's unprecedented permeability, more research is needed to support this student population. This phenomenological study explored the coping strategies and help-seeking behaviors of college students and postdoctoral fellows with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using semi-structured, in-depth interviews from fall 2020 (n = 36) and spring 2021 (n = 28), a thematic analysis was conducted. The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping was used to triangulate findings, to better understand the relationship between perceived stressors, coping mechanisms, and psychological outcomes. The findings show that (1) college students with disabilities coped in multiple ways (i.e., behavioral, relational, and mental), with some noting improvements in their coping abilities by spring, and (2) stigma prevented college students with disabilities from seeking help when needed. These findings emphasize the need for higher education to address ableism and use factors beneficial to fostering resiliency (i.e., social support, optimism, and self-advocacy) among college students with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many universities offer autism support programs (ASPs) to support college students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Initial studies support the promise of ASPs, but little research has explored which students do and do not enroll, or whether enrollees engage in program-sponsored mentoring. We explored these questions using an online survey and an ex post facto study design. Participants were students (N = 104) at a public university who identified with the university's center for disability services as having a diagnosis of ASD. We compared students who did and did not enroll in the university's ASP on a) demographic characteristics, b) pre-college academic achievement, and c) self-rated functioning. Enrollees rated the quality and frequency of interactions with program-sponsored mentors. Compared to ASP non-enrollees, enrollees were more often a) men, b) in their first or second year of college, with c) higher self-reported functioning. Enrollees also reported frequent, high-quality interactions with mentors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between the level of perceived support for the basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness and satisfaction with health and quality of life among undergraduate college students with disabilities. Method: 286 postsecondary students with disabilities were surveyed in the spring of 2019. Cross-sectional data was analyzed to assess the relationship between students' perceived support for their basic psychological needs and their satisfaction with health and quality of life. Results: Results of the analyses revealed that perceived support for the basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness statistically significantly predicted satisfaction with health and quality of life. Conclusions: The results of this study provide key insights into the nature of the relationship between support for malleable psychosocial factors within the college context and student satisfaction with their health and quality of life in the college context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to COVID-19, most institutions of higher education delivered instruction remotely partway through the spring 2020 semester. This rapid shift resulted in many instructors changing course format with short notice. To understand how this shift impacted learner perceptions of remote instruction in spring 2020, we conducted a survey of 216 college students with self-identified disabilities. Postsecondary students with disabilities were queried about benefits of remote learning, feedback for instructors regarding remote learning, and instructional practices they believe should continue when face-to-face instruction resumes. Results indicated students benefitted from self-paced learning and improved access to materials during remote instruction. Student feedback suggests instructors incorporate course procedures that include flexibility and improved accessibility. When institutions return to typical course delivery, students suggested continuing the following online practices: maintaining class materials on the course learning management system and incorporation of web-based course delivery platforms. Recommendations for future research and practice are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every child has the same opportunity to actualize himself, including children with disabilities. Through the Entrepreneurship course, Sebelas Maret University students have sociopreneurship skills to empathize with people with disabilities. Through this article, we briefly describe the learning process carried out to equip students to have the ability to develop sociopreneur abilities. The research method used in this study was a case study with students of Sebelas Maret University as the research participants. The results of this study indicate that through Entrepreneurship lectures, the RIB (Ruang Indonesia Bercerita) team has been able to develop social community-based start-ups (sociopreneurship) to accommodate the potential of persons with disabilities. This business pilot is realized through three stages of the learning process, including prototype design, prototype development, and prototype assessment. However, the existence of RIB as a social community still requires continuous development efforts to ensure its vision and mission can be fully achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of studies providing empirical evidence on e‐learning in the field of special education is limited. From this point of view, the aim of this study is to examine whether the factors influencing the e‐learning adoption of university students with disability differ according to the type of disability and gender. The participants of the study consist of 809 university students with a single disability (orthopaedic, visual or hearing). Confirmatory factor analysis and two‐way ANOVA were used in the analysis of the study. The factor analysis showed that validity and reliability of the measurement tool was established and the model fit was good. The results revealed that for all dependent variables (social influence, self‐efficacy, compatibility and facilitating conditions), students with orthopaedic disability and visual impairment had higher scores than students with hearing impairment. On the other hand, contrary to expectations, there was no difference between students with orthopaedic disability and students with visual impairment in any of the factors according to the type of disability. In addition, none of the factors differed by gender. The findings provide empirical evidence that can contribute to the planning of online education processes of students with disability by revealing the similarities and differences in the use of e‐learning systems according to the type of disability. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic The field of special education deals with the special needs of individuals and frequently uses technology to provide the support they need.It is observed that educational processes have been moved to online environments due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, which has affected the field of education nowadays and e‐learning systems in online environments have become indispensable for students with special needs.With their flexible structure, e‐learning systems create universal and inclusive learning environments for all students.Accessibility and special education adaptations are needed for individuals with special needs to use e‐learning systems effectively. For this, first of all, the effects of the disabilities of these individuals in using e‐learning systems should be determined.What this paper adds The results showed that social influence, self‐efficacy, compatibility, and facilitating conditions all differed significantly by type of disability.The research findings revealed that all factors differed significantly in terms of orthopaedic and visual impairment versus hearing impairment.The main contribution of the study can be summarized as investigating the relationships between technology adoption and types of disability with empirical evidence and the fact that the implications and inferences made for theory and practice have the potential to make critical contributions to technology acceptance and use of individuals with special needs.It can be stated that the tool adapted in this study offers a valid and reliable tool for future studies with university students with special needs.Implications for practice and/or policy There is a need for considering the individual differences of participants and adaptations for hearing in the adoption of e‐learning systems.Individual differences should be taken into account in the designs of e‐learning systems, and user‐oriented designs should be given priority.It can be mentioned that providing subtitle support for live lessons and recorded videos for the hearing impairment and adding sign and text support to the audio stimuli, providing screen readers for the visual impairment in the e‐learning system can make valuable contributions to improving the quality of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to seek to understand and describe the experiences of university students taking part in the Paralympic Skill Lab (PSL) program in relation to shaping attitudes and perceptions of disability and disability sport. The researchers adopted an interpretivist ontology, where we attempted to make sense of our participants' interpretations of their lived experiences in the PSL. Data from 35 students were collected via focus group interviews and reflective essays, and analyzed inductively using a three-step approach. Three interrelated themes were constructed based on the analysis that were related to the participants' experience during the PSL event. In the first theme, 'My mindset definitely changed': The power of contact, participants described the manner in which PSL shifted their perspective on individuals with disabilities. The second theme, 'This moved me so much to be the change': A call to action, concerned participants desire to implement tangible, actionable intentions and plans as a result of participating in PSL. The third theme, 'They can shine as much as normal athletes': Expressions of ableism in the words of participants, depicts the ableist paradigm through which the participants ascribed meaning to their experience, showcasing an idealized notion of normal. These findings support assertions that participation in sport-based disability awareness programs can enhance participant knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives toward persons with disabilities and disability sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is a growing presence of college students with disabilities, there are still a number of barriers that need to be addressed. College campuses provide an arena to challenge students' worldviews and bring awareness of challenges to marginalized populations. The present study is an evaluation of a disability awareness workshop for college students to improve knowledge and attitudes about people with disabilities. The workshop included presentations by students with disabilities, professionals who work with people with disabilities, and knowledge‐building activities. It was evaluated using a pre‐test, post‐test comparison group design and was found to improve college students' knowledge and attitudes about people with disabilities. Qualitative analyses further depict attitudes toward people with disabilities. Implications for university initiatives and disability services educators are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses differential prediction and differential validity in higher-education admissions policy for individuals with various disabilities, who were granted or denied (on either technical grounds or professional considerations) test accommodations on the Israeli Psychometric Entrance Test (PET). The sample comprised 124,501 records of first-year students in 2,036 academic departments at six universities We applied a common-line regression model using the standard high-stakes PET score, the high-school Matriculation Exams score (ME), and their composite score (CS), as predictors, and the first year GPA as the criterion. Pearson correlations between predictors and criterion were also computed. Findings showed that accommodation policy was generally fair towards individuals with disabilities, with minimal over- or under-prediction. One important practical implication was that applicants should be cautioned that failure to provide adequate documentation of their disabilities could result in technical rejection, which may result in the under-prediction of their academic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been controversy around the practice of providing accommodations, with some suggesting that they may give an unfair advantage rather than level the playing field. If that were the case, the assessment results of students with accommodations could be inflated, leading to a detrimental effect on the assessment's validity. This research investigated this claim by comparing the performance of students who completed high-stakes examinations with and without test accommodations. To account for group differences that could affect performance, students were matched on background characteristics. The results revealed that students with accommodations performed similarly to or slightly worse than students without accommodations, suggesting that, in most cases, the accommodations worked as intended and helped levelling the playing field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, invisible disabilities are among the most commonly reported types of disabilities among college students. International data suggest that students with disabilities in higher education are often reluctant to disclose their disability status in order to access accommodations and academic support from their institutions. Few studies have examined institutional disclosure processes that contribute to students non-disclosure decisions. The first day of class is an opportune time for instructors to invite students to disclose their accommodation eligibility. Guided by the multiple goals theoretical framework, 30 first-day-of-class videos from a large, public university in the United States, were collected and analyzed. The findings suggest that when instructors talk about accommodations for students with disabilities on the first day of class, they largely prioritize the students' task goals (e.g. completing documentation and assignments) and often avoid discussing the unique relational and identity needs of students with invisible disabilities. The implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the number of college students with disabilities continues to grow, self-advocacy programs have become an increasingly important tool to help students access disability-specific and general student services. Yet, few studies have explored processes surrounding the development of self-advocacy for students with disabilities, in particular the role of social support in fostering important knowledge and skills. In this study, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 28 students receiving disability services (DS) from a large Hispanic serving institution (HSI). Our analysis yielded findings related to four subcomponents of self-advocacy, (a) knowledge of self, (b) knowledge of rights, (c) communication, and (d) leadership. Students attributed formal and informal social support to their progression in each area, distinguishing between initial and advanced phases of self-advocacy development. Recommendations for future research and implications for secondary and postsecondary education are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postsecondary institutions across the United States shifted to remote learning during the spring 2020 semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study qualitatively explores responses to a subset of five open-ended questions that were part of a larger national survey of college students with disabilities (Madaus et al., 2021). Student perceptions of institutional and disability service offices' response to remote learning are examined, as well as remote practices students wish to continue when face-to-face instruction resumes. Results indicate communication and continued services from disability services offices were important to students, as well as remote learning preparation, regular communication, and flexible school policies from institutions. With regard to disability service offices, students expressed a desire for virtual meetings and an online accommodation portal when in-person learning resumed. Recommendations for practice and areas for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 caused nearly every college and university in the United States to rapidly shift to remote learning during the spring 2020 semester. While this impacted all students to different degrees, students with disabilities (SWD) faced new challenges related to their mental health, the accessibility of their instruction, the receipt of accommodations, and their interactions with faculty and student support personnel. Literature is emerging that describes the experiences of SWD during the spring 2020 semester and the swift change to remote learning. However, little is currently known about what followed for these students. The present study builds from a prior investigation of SWD during the spring 2020 semester and examines student experiences and perceptions during the 2020–2021 academic year. Eighty-eight SWD from colleges across the United States completed an instrument that contained a mix of demographic, yes/no, Likert scale and open-ended items. Responses revealed most items related to accessing services and instruction showed no improvement from the spring 2020 semester, and that items related to mental health, motivation to learn, and connections with peers were perceived as worse than in spring 2020. Open-ended responses revealed similar themes, with some students describing no improvements, and others noting that accessibility service offices and faculty provided enhanced methods of communication and support. Implications for practice and future research are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 caused nearly every college and university in the United States to rapidly shift to remote learning during the spring 2020 semester. While this impacted all students to different degrees, students with disabilities (SWD) faced new challenges related to their mental health, the accessibility of their instruction, the receipt of accommodations, and their interactions with faculty and student support personnel. Literature is emerging that describes the experiences of SWD during the spring 2020 semester and the swift change to remote learning. However, little is currently known about what followed for these students. The present study builds from a prior investigation of SWD during the spring 2020 semester and examines student experiences and perceptions during the 2020–2021 academic year. Eighty-eight SWD from colleges across the United States completed an instrument that contained a mix of demographic, yes/no, Likert scale and open-ended items. Responses revealed most items related to accessing services and instruction showed no improvement from the spring 2020 semester, and that items related to mental health, motivation to learn, and connections with peers were perceived as worse than in spring 2020. Open-ended responses revealed similar themes, with some students describing no improvements, and others noting that accessibility service offices and faculty provided enhanced methods of communication and support. Implications for practice and future research are presented.

In line with global non-discrimination legislative changes and inclusive education policies, the number of disabled students in higher education institutions are increasing. Previously, disabled students were excluded from higher education. Currently, however, higher education institutions are expected to have disability statements and policies, and provide support for disabled students. In spite of this upward trend, disabled students remain seriously underrepresented within higher education, and experience barriers at a range of levels. This article examines the experiences of disabled participants entering into higher education in South Africa. The findings of this qualitative exploratory study highlight the influences of onset of disability (acquired verses congenital) on their integration experiences. It specifically examines participants' experiences accepting newly acquired disabilities and the impact of this on completion of study, experiences relating to disclosure of disability, and opportunities to select and enrol for desired subjects and courses at higher education institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many students with disabilities, the transition from high school to a postsecondary educational institution can be challenging as they navigate a new environment with new or different supports. Recent research has demonstrated strong relationships between core self-evaluations (CSE) and a variety of psychosocial and employment outcomes in individuals with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to test a mediation model of the relationship between CSE and life satisfaction in 195 college students with disabilities. Hayes' (2018) PROCESS macro for SPSS was used to evaluate the model. The results showed that acceptance of disability, social support from significant others, employment-related selfefficacy, and social self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between CSE and life satisfaction. The direct effect of CSE on life satisfaction was still significant after controlling for the effects of all mediators. Overall, CSE affected life satisfaction in college students with disabilities, both directly and indirectly, through improved disability acceptance, greater support from significant others, increased employment-related self-efficacy, and improved social self-efficacy. Implications of the results to improve life satisfaction in college students with disabilities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College students with disabilities often encounter systems and processes that do not serve them well. Financial aid, structured in ways that can be particularly burdensome to students with disabilities, is one such system. This study used web-based content analysis of the largest public four-year institution in each state to explore how institutions explain and provide information and resources related to financial aid and whether they are equitable, consistent, and useful for students with disabilities specifically. The findings suggest that available information most often does not assist students in understanding how their disability-related needs can be supported or hindered by financial aid policies. The authors offer recommendations for practices that can improve equitable access to financial aid information1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the relationship between high school transition preparation and student involvement and integration in college among first-year college students with disabilities. One hundred fifty-eight freshmen with disabilities were recruited from a southeastern university in U.S. The findings reveal that high school transition preparation was highly associated with student involvement and social and academic integration efforts in the postsecondary setting. The results highlight the need for transition support services to foster transition preparation to make a smooth transition from secondary education to postsecondary education for students with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent analysis of the supply of workers in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields noted a persistent shortage of STEM workers (New American Economy Research Fund, 2017). Specifically, in 2016, for each unemployed worker there were 13 STEM jobs posted online, which translated into a shortage of approximately three million trained professionals. Students with disabilities have been identified as a possible untapped pool of future scientists (Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering, 2006). Unfortunately, persistence in postsecondary education for students with disabilities is an issue (Sanford et al., 2011). The evaluation results of a comprehensive mentoring program designed to support students with disabilities in postsecondary STEM programs are reported. The mentoring program included elements related to both the academic and social environments of the students. It is part of a larger project designed to increase the number of students with disabilities pursuing and completing postsecondary STEM programs. The results of the study indicated that participants were highly satisfied with their mentoring experiences and perceived the mentoring experience positively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unawareness of student diversity among lecturers in higher education remains a barrier for some students' opportunities to participate in educational settings. In this autoethnography, cultural unawareness of diversity in regards of disabilities, is the practice under inquiry. This piece elucidates my personal journey towards increased disability awareness and a more inclusive teaching practice. The aim is to offer my story as a pedagogical tool to prompt self-reflection. You are invited to connect with my story through your own experiences and partake in a critical reflection on diversity awareness and – for those of you who teach – on ways in which you create an inclusive or excluding learning environment for disabled students in your courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using large-scale longitudinal data, this study sought to examine factors influencing two important student development outcomes in students with disabilities attending 4-year colleges and universities. Informed by Astin's Input-Environment-Outcome model and the interactional model of disability, this study investigated the effect of student characteristics (i.e., disability type, gender, mother's education level) and environmental factors (i.e., faculty encouragement and engagement in political discussion) on the development of academic ability and intellectual confidence in students' senior year of college. The comparison between two outcome models for students with learning disabilities and those with physical or sensory disabilities provided important educational implications. Results from the multiple regression analyses revealed that both student characteristics and environmental factors significantly affect student development, accounting for students' academic ability and intellectual confidence upon entering college. Institutional policy implications and educational interventions for college students with disabilities were also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]