Acquiring Adulthood: A Grounded Theory of Deaf Experiences Transitioning to College

• In Event: 63.079 - Postsecondary Outcomes for Individuals With Disabilities: Supports and Self-Advocacy for Transition

Abstract

Transitioning from secondary to postsecondary education and beyond is an important issue. Within marginalized groups there is a negative correlation between the number of students who enter college and the number of students who graduate. Research demonstrates that a high percentage of students who are deaf matriculate to postsecondary institutions. However, a low much lower percentage graduate from college or university. The present qualitative grounded theory study investigated how first year college students who are deaf perceived their transition in order to identify how students described their preparedness and managed the challenges presented in their freshman year. Results show that participants talked mostly of acquiring adulthood and the challenges that come along with the process of gaining independence.

Authors

• Christina Yuknis, Gallaudet University

• Julie Tibbitt, Gallaudet University

• Heather G Zimmerman, Gallaudet University