Empowering Young People With Learning Disabilities to Speak Up: Experiences of Mainstream Education and Adulthood

• In Event: 79.050 - MTCC Roundtable Session 36
  In Roundtable Session: 79.050-4 - Breaking Through Barriers: Rethinking Teacher Preparation Work With Students With Special Needs

Abstract

In England, there is a marked shift of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) receiving educational provision in special settings, a fact that places the future of mainstream education at stake. This qualitative study explores the experience of mainstream education of five young people with learning disabilities (LD) between the age of 25 to 35 and its impact in their adulthood lives. A phenomenologically based study was conducted employing photo participation, in-depth interviewing, Talking Mats and photo album for the data collection. Findings indicated that for all young people with LD mainstream education was a positive experience that enabled them to become confident in socially interacting with their peers and facilitate their inclusion to society.

Authors

• Eleni Dimitrellou, University of Derby

• Deborah Robinson, Derby of University

• Geraldene Codina, University of Derby