Disability Through My Lens: The experiences of inclusion and belonging of students with disabilities at SFU
Date
2020-07-29
Authors
Ile, Precious
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Abstract
How might we design with and by students with disabilities? In collaboration with SFU’s Center for Accessible Learning (CAL), the Disability Through My Lens research project uses the photovoice method to explore the experiences of inclusion and belonging of students with disabilities at SFU. This research adopts ableism and intersectionality as theoretical and analytical frameworks. Results demonstrate that the top four themes impacting the experiences of inclusion and belonging of students with disabilities include physical or environmental barriers, attitudes and beliefs of peers and faculty members, the need for inclusive and equitable campus spaces and identity, self-advocacy and activism.
The research results hold relevance and utility to post-secondary institutions in British Columbia (B.C.) on the need for more disability awareness and education, enhanced accessible learning and classroom design, institutional data on disabilities, research and redesign of policies to improve the experiences of students with disabilities. Future research may undertake a comparative mixed methods study that examines the experiences of students with disabilities and students without disabilities or review of best practices of disability inclusion across B.C. post-secondary institutions in a COVID-19 or post-pandemic era.
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Keywords
students with disabilities;, post-secondary institutions, participatory action research, photovoice, Community Development Program