Access and Participation of College Disabled Students in American Higher Education

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 9:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Disability-Centered Systemic Change in the Global Research Community (Table 16)

Abstract

Accessible college environment increases disabled students' inclusion and improves academic performance and possibilities of quality of life in college and post-college life. Postsecondary education opportunities for disabled American citizens remains elusive to many, however. An electronic Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors-Short Form survey through the Google Form was administered to a purposively sampled population of college disabled students September-December 2022. Data were analyzed statistically to understand the impact of environments on college disabled students' functionality and participation. Results inform future design of domains that can reduce barriers, enhance facilitators, improve inclusion, belonging, and community engagement of college disabled students, and facilitate their successful transition to post-college life as productive citizens.

Authors

• Theodoto Ressa, Wayne State University

• Do-Hong Kim, Wayne State University