Parents' Perspectives on the Experiences of Students With Disabilities on School Trips

• In Event: Improving Special and Inclusive Education Through Familial Perspectives and Experiences

Abstract

School trips are an important aspect of the curricular and extracurricular experience for students of all ages. However, students with disabilities often experience barriers that limit meaningful participation in such trips. This paper will present key qualitative findings which have emerged from an exploratory study to understand parents' perspectives on the participation of students with disabilities on school trips. Parents of children with disabilities participated in in-depth, semi-structured interviews to understand each participant's experiences of school trips. We explore the importance of collaborative planning including identifying strategies to support the participation of children and youth with disabilities on school and community trips. These strategies mitigate physical, attitudinal, expertise-related, and systemic barriers reported by parents in this research.

Authors

• Laurie Gutmann Kahn, Moravian University
  Presenting Author

• Kimberly Wynarczuk, Moravian College
  Non-Presenting Author

• Eric Sanders, Moravian College
  Non-Presenting Author

• Marie Ann Potter, Moravian College
  Non-Presenting Author

• Brenna Curley, Moravian College
  Non-Presenting Author