Studying Disability: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Requesting Accommodation in Higher Education

Including students with disabilities in higher education is a global political objective and is considered a human right. However, many students do not feel included and hesitate to ask for the help they need to succeed in their education. This study aims to investigate the processes of requesting a...

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Main Authors: Tone Ristad, Aud Elisabeth Witsø, Sissel Horghagen, Lisbeth Kvam, Jørn Østvik
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-03-01
Series:Social Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/3/154
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author Tone Ristad
Aud Elisabeth Witsø
Sissel Horghagen
Lisbeth Kvam
Jørn Østvik
author_facet Tone Ristad
Aud Elisabeth Witsø
Sissel Horghagen
Lisbeth Kvam
Jørn Østvik
author_sort Tone Ristad
collection DOAJ
description Including students with disabilities in higher education is a global political objective and is considered a human right. However, many students do not feel included and hesitate to ask for the help they need to succeed in their education. This study aims to investigate the processes of requesting accommodation for students with disabilities in higher education from the perspectives of both students and support providers. Six co-creation workshops were held, with a total of 46 participants from various backgrounds relevant to exploring pathways for students with disabilities in higher education and into the workforce. The audio recordings of the workshops were analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory approach to identify and explore processes. Three interconnected processes were identified: determining whether to disclose, asking for accommodations, and studying disability. The analysis showed that these processes could be time-consuming and riddled with barriers, and they did not always result in granted accommodations. Some students ended up using their study time to research their disability and potential accommodations instead of studying their subject matter. To eliminate barriers and promote disclosure, universities should ensure a universally designed education and that staff have the necessary knowledge to assist students in obtaining accommodations.
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spelling doaj.art-6bd846ea3f0a4b758db89f909257dff82024-03-27T14:04:40ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602024-03-0113315410.3390/socsci13030154Studying Disability: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Requesting Accommodation in Higher EducationTone Ristad0Aud Elisabeth Witsø1Sissel Horghagen2Lisbeth Kvam3Jørn Østvik4Department of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, NorwayDepartment of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, NorwayDepartment of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, NorwayDepartment of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, NorwayDepartment of Mental Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, NorwayIncluding students with disabilities in higher education is a global political objective and is considered a human right. However, many students do not feel included and hesitate to ask for the help they need to succeed in their education. This study aims to investigate the processes of requesting accommodation for students with disabilities in higher education from the perspectives of both students and support providers. Six co-creation workshops were held, with a total of 46 participants from various backgrounds relevant to exploring pathways for students with disabilities in higher education and into the workforce. The audio recordings of the workshops were analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory approach to identify and explore processes. Three interconnected processes were identified: determining whether to disclose, asking for accommodations, and studying disability. The analysis showed that these processes could be time-consuming and riddled with barriers, and they did not always result in granted accommodations. Some students ended up using their study time to research their disability and potential accommodations instead of studying their subject matter. To eliminate barriers and promote disclosure, universities should ensure a universally designed education and that staff have the necessary knowledge to assist students in obtaining accommodations.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/3/154universitydisabilityimpairmentfacilitationinclusionworkshops
spellingShingle Tone Ristad
Aud Elisabeth Witsø
Sissel Horghagen
Lisbeth Kvam
Jørn Østvik
Studying Disability: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Requesting Accommodation in Higher Education
Social Sciences
university
disability
impairment
facilitation
inclusion
workshops
title Studying Disability: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Requesting Accommodation in Higher Education
title_full Studying Disability: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Requesting Accommodation in Higher Education
title_fullStr Studying Disability: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Requesting Accommodation in Higher Education
title_full_unstemmed Studying Disability: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Requesting Accommodation in Higher Education
title_short Studying Disability: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective on Requesting Accommodation in Higher Education
title_sort studying disability a multi stakeholder perspective on requesting accommodation in higher education
topic university
disability
impairment
facilitation
inclusion
workshops
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/13/3/154
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AT audelisabethwitsø studyingdisabilityamultistakeholderperspectiveonrequestingaccommodationinhighereducation
AT sisselhorghagen studyingdisabilityamultistakeholderperspectiveonrequestingaccommodationinhighereducation
AT lisbethkvam studyingdisabilityamultistakeholderperspectiveonrequestingaccommodationinhighereducation
AT jørnøstvik studyingdisabilityamultistakeholderperspectiveonrequestingaccommodationinhighereducation