Blind People and the Belonging in Academia Model

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 4
  In Poster Session: Intersectionality Matters: Educational Perspectives, Paradigms, and Possibilities (San Diego)

Abstract

Background.
Sense of belonging has significant impacts on success in academia. As students, faculty, or staff, blind people are not equally included. Blind peoples’ sense of belonging within academia has not been studied.
Approach.
Focus groups with blind faculty (n=5), staff (n=5), and students (n=18 illuminated blind perspectives on belonging in academia. Transcripts were coded line-by-line, compared/contrasted, and eventually themes developed.
Results
Participants identified nuances that add to the Belonging in Academia Model’s five petals: affiliation, familiarity, acceptance, trusting connections and interdependent relationships, and equity.
Conclusion
This study provides crucial consciousness-raising for stakeholders in academia. Only when we create a space where everyone can belong will we truly be inclusive.

Authors

• Laura Y. Bulk, The University of British Columbia

• Tal Jarus, University of British Columbia

• Laura E. Nimmon, The University of British Columbia