Date of Award
2022
Degree Name
Occupational Therapy, OTD
Document Type
Dissertation
First Advisor
Amanda Mohler
Second Advisor
Alexis Besharse
Third Advisor
Katey Provence
Subject Categories
Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy
Abstract
Students with disabilities enrolled in post-secondary institutions are increasing in numbers so that students develop the skills needed to achieve a career and live independently. Barriers at the collegiate level include difficulties communicating their concerns with the faculty, lack of mentorship from their advisors, and having no prior knowledge about student organizations/services. Students also experienced daily stressors due to the physical demands of their classroom environment, the pressures of socialization, and the want of acceptance (Hong, 2015). Research by Love (2016) observed the barriers that prevent students with disabilities from engaging in leisure and social activities. The barriers included physical barriers, increased need for adjustment, and lack of social support within their university. Decreased social acceptability and stereotypical expectations are social barriers that prevent students with disabilities from engaging in leisure and social activities. There are solutions to the barriers students with disabilities encounter within their universities. Kreider & Medina (2018) supported the need to increase awareness of different types of disabilities as well as access and accommodations. Agarwal et al. (2014) encouraged universities to establish a welcoming environment by creating programs for collaboration, promoting mentorship, and understanding the perspectives of both non-disabled and disabled students. Finally, universities must highlight the sense of belonging as it contributes to decreasing social isolation and increasing academic performance (Fleming et al., 2017).
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Basca, Erica, "Promoting Inclusivity for Students with Disabilities to Improve their Occupational Performance at the Collegiate Level" (2022). Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstones. 3.
https://arch.astate.edu/nhp-ot-cap/3
