Inclusive Practices in Institutions of Higher Education

2022 ◽  
pp. 188-207
Author(s):  
Beverly Sande

In this chapter, the author will highlight some of the hurdles students with disabilities (SWDs) face in institutions of higher education (IHEs) and share some recommendations on how best faculty and staff can support SWDs matriculating through their programs and graduate on time with a baccalaureate degree. The author addresses concepts such as resilience, deficit models, instructional roles (instructor versus facilitator), myths, and misconceptions of working with SWDs, social justice, advocacy, public policy reform, and inclusive models for IHEs. In this chapter, the author approaches these concepts by illustrating the social justice notions related to identity and access to IHE as experienced by SWDs. The author considers whether institutions perceive some programs as unsuitable for some SWDs or whether SWDs perceive some courses as inaccessible, hence not worth pursuing.

2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 120-126
Author(s):  
Jennifer Brady

Purpose: To explore dietetic practitioners’ perceptions of their education and training in the knowledge, skills, and confidence to understand social justice issues and to engage in socially just dietetic practice and social justice advocacy. Methods: An online semi-qualitative survey sent to Canadian dietitians. Results: Most respondents (n = 264; 81.5%) felt that knowledge- and skill-based learning about social justice and social justice advocacy should be a part of dietetic education and training. Reasons given by respondents for the importance of social justice learning include: client-centred care and reflexive practice, effecting change to the social and structural determinants of health, preventing dietitian burnout, and relevance of the profession. Yet, over half of respondents either strongly disagreed or disagreed that they were adequately prepared with the knowledge (n = 186; 57.4%), skills (n = 195; 60.2%), or confidence (n = 196; 60.5%) to engage in advocacy related to social justice concerns. Some questioned the practicality of adding social justice learning via additional courses to already full programs, while others proposed infusing a social justice lens across dietetic education and practice areas. Conclusions: Dietetic education and training must do more to prepare dietitians to answer calls for dietitians to engage in social justice issues through practice and advocacy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Nageswara Rao Ambati

This study attempts to understand social and educational experiences of students with disabilities in institutions of higher education and is exploratory in nature. To understand the educational experiences of these students, it is not enough to know only the availability of services and resources. It is also necessary to understand the students personally, and the circumstances in which they live. To answer the research questions posed in this study, the researcher has used mixed methods and three universities were selected through purposive sampling in so as to gain maximum diverse variation. For this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with hundred students with disabilities in selected universities in Andhra Pradesh, India. In this study, quantitative and qualitative data analyses were used and in most cases quotes of real text for each theme were maintained and used extensively. The findings of the study show the students were very categorical about their special needs in order to achieve their goals. A greater understanding has been gained regarding coping strategies adopted by them to manage their higher education needs. Based on findings of the study the researcher has brought out the factors which influence the creation of an inclusive environment in institutions of higher education.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gulnaz Zahid

PurposeThis interventional study aims to test the effectiveness of thek training approach for higher education faculty members to facilitate students with disabilities (SwD) to promote inclusion in higher education by operationalising approaches on the basis of the social action model. It presents an evidence-based training model created on recognised theories and strategies in the field of disability.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows a single-case pre/post-test intervention design in which data were analysed quantitatively, followed by a thematic analysis of participants' feedback and trainer's reflections. Training sessions were aligned to the social action model, the perspective of reasonable accommodations and introduction to technological support for teaching-learning and policy issues. Eighty faculty members from different schools of a multi-disciplinary Pakistani university participated in these sessions. Data from only 63 faculty members were available for analyses.FindingsTeacher Perceptions of Facilitating Students with Disabilities (TP-FSD) scale served as a pre- and post-test measure. The quantitative assessment revealed knowledge and attitudinal gains after brief trainings. However, when findings were interpreted considering effect sizes and supported by qualitative findings, moderate effectiveness level was evident. Effectiveness can be interpreted by the internal and external validity checks and findings of multiple assessments.Practical implicationsThis study can be replicated by adapting the training approach and by considering its strengths and shortcomings mentioned in detail in the discussion section.Originality/valueThe study tested the effectiveness of brief faculty training to support SwD in a multi-disciplinary university having faculty with varied education and training experience.


Author(s):  
Moses Rumano ◽  
Rhoda Sommers

In this chapter the authors suggest that religious institutions are strategically and morally positioned to advocate for the inclusion of faculty from diverse backgrounds who will become the voice of the voiceless and the ambassadors for many historically oppressed and underrepresented groups in higher education. The successful integration of faculty from diverse backgrounds at predominantly European American religious institutions of higher education brings the much needed transformation into the social, spiritual, and academic lives of students. Through the lived experiences of six faculty members from diverse backgrounds serving at a variety of religious institutions, the authors discuss ways religious institutions of higher education can advocate for faculty from diverse backgrounds by adopting distinctive policies and beliefs, creating a strong support base through mentorship, and providing opportunities for professional growth to create a welcoming work environment.


2022 ◽  
pp. 138-156
Author(s):  
Bryan Q. Patterson

In the last decade, there has been a greater focus on social justice concerns in United States. These concerns include addressing situations of racism, microaggressions, and racial injustices. As a result of these concerns, the need for social justice has become more apparent for institutions of higher education to adjust and rethink how they become more inclusive and provide more equitable opportunities for all stakeholders. Institutions of higher education are being pushed into unfamiliar territory, and the role of academics and high education institutions will need to be redefined in a new model of true systematic change and policy overhaul. How do institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) become more accountable in reshaping their purpose and mission statements through the lens of social justice and inclusivity? This chapter will generate insights and illuminate ongoing institutional conversations regarding the successful adoption of social justice frameworks and practices in the foundations of higher education.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (65) ◽  
pp. 18-30
Author(s):  
Cristian Bedoya Dorado ◽  
Mónica García-Solarte ◽  
Juan Sebastián Peña-Zúñiga ◽  
Steven Alejandro Piñeros Buriticá

Management in the context of higher education has been characterized by the predominance of male participation, mainly in senior management positions. As a result, women’s low participation is mainly concentrated in lower management positions, and their chances of escalating hierarchical positions are mediated by various factors ranging from subjective to socially naturalized. The objective of this research is to analyze the barriers women face to enter and escalate positions in university management in Colombia. Under a qualitative design, 26 semi-structured interviews were applied to university managers from different institutions of higher education in Colombia. The transcripts were analyzed using discourse analysis through three categories: individual, internal, and external barriers of the university. It was found that women face entry and promotion barriers marked by experiences, and conditions of inequality and discrimination in a male-dominated context. These barriers are conditioned by personal elements, organizational culture, and the social role of women. In addition, women’s trajectories involve mediation between professional development and family life. The study reveals experiences that contribute to understanding the research phenomenon from the webbing of senses and meanings. It is posited that the “glass ceiling” is mediated by variables in the internal order, and by the relationship between universities and their context.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (27) ◽  
pp. 260-267
Author(s):  
Oksana Kravchenko ◽  
Pavlo Oksom ◽  
Alla Voitovska ◽  
Iryna Albul

The aim of the article is to analyze the process of gender socialization of students with disabilities. We used a comparative analysis method and method of generalization in the research process. The logic of our study involved organizing and conducting a survey of students with disabilities. The state of gender socialization of students with disabilities in six institutions of higher education of Ukraine is investigated. The social and pedagogical conditions for the formation of gender socialization of students with disabilities are substantiated. The importance of creating a gender sensitive university environment based on the idea of gender equality has been proved. The basic elements that determine the level of gender sensitivity of a higher education institution are considered. The expediency of creating self-help centers for students with disabilities is substantiated. The essence of teachers and students motivation to cooperate in an inclusive environment in the context of gender socialization is highlighted. Positive impact of students with disabilities involvement in active forms of student and out-of-class student activity has been established. It is proved that the experience of students with special educational needs is not gender-neutral, because boys and girls deal with different realities that shape the understanding of disability.


Author(s):  
Oksana Khomik ◽  
Nataliia Bielikova ◽  
Svitlana Indyka ◽  
Oksana Kovalchuk ◽  
Viktor Halan-Vlashchuk

The current study investigates the ways to increase accessibility to higher education for students with disabilities. The importance of implementation e-learning for such students as one of the preconditions for effective social and psychological adaptation and further successful integration of persons with disabilities into society is emphasized. A survey of students with disabilities was conducted to identify their needs in educational process. The main difficulties that they overcome in the process of education in institutions of higher education are identified. The main peculiarities and advantages of the distance learning course «Adaptive Physical Education» are described created in the Moodle system. The differences and benefits of Microsoft Teams over the Moodle platform in the process of e-learning for students with disabilities are described. The process of organizing of «Adaptive Physical Education» distance learning course for students with disabilities on the Microsoft Teams platform and the purpose of implementation it in the institution of higher education are emphasized.


2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Bauman ◽  
Michele Acker-Hocevar ◽  
Danny Talbot

This article describes the experiences of three university colleagues with a common interest in, and commitment to, the retention of students from traditionally underserved populations including those who are racial/ethnic minorities or first-generation college. Using Moustaka’s (1990) phases of heuristic understanding as an organizational framework, we discuss our use of autoethnography to arrive at new understandings of ourselves as researchers and our area of inquiry. Consistent with social justice advocacy research, this research collaboration has the potential to inform efforts to empower traditionally underserved college students and to facilitate transformational change in an institution of higher education.


Author(s):  
Alice-Ann Darrow

Many of the societal injustices historically perpetrated against persons with disabilities are well known: educational segregation, inaccessible public buildings and programs, and lack of employment opportunities. Less obvious and rarely acknowledged are issues related to the social integration of persons with disabilities and the resulting educational implications. Students with disabilities who are socially accepted and well assimilated into their school and are more likely to graduate and to secure employment. Indicators of social inequities are often subtle and overlooked, thus making teachers powerless to facilitate classroom interactions that contribute to the well-being and educational success of students with disabilities. The ability to embrace diversity in all its facets and to advance social justice requires that educators (1) understand disability culture and its place within the majority culture, (2) recognize stereotypic and stigmatizing views of persons with disability, and (3) create socially and musically inclusive environments for students with disabilities.


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