During school year 2021-22, around 7.3 million children ages 3 through 21 received special education and related services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This act is the primary federal special education law for children and youth with disabilities. Last reauthorized in 2004, IDEA was enacted to ensure access to a…

With the rapid growth of dual-credit enrollments, it is vital for higher education institutions to understand the needs of dual-credit students, particularly students with learning disabilities. The literature shows a gap in research related to the perceptions of dualcredit students utilizing learning accommodations. The purpose of this…

This dissertation explored the challenges and adaptations made by educators and service providers in creating an inclusive virtual learning environment for students with special needs, particularly focusing on the experiences of educators working with deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students. Grounded in the identified gaps in the literature, the…

Using data from a grounded theory study with 59 college students with disabilities, this article documents the complex process of developing self-advocacy during the transition from K--12 to post-secondary school settings. This article draws on rich student narratives to illuminate the nuanced self-advocacy processes that college students with…

Introduction: Individuals with visual impairments are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, perhaps in part because they sometimes do not have the same opportunities for hands-on learning as sighted peers. Methods: Twelve braille readers aged 11-16 years participated in a synchronous online hands-on…

A learning environment can either enhance or prevent access to information and social interaction for children and youth with deaf-blindness as well as impact their attention and engagement. The process of preparing learning spaces to optimize learning should consider: (1) How a child will navigate within those spaces; (2) How and where the child…

There are growing demands to proactively support students with disabilities in postsecondary education. This article examines a mixed-methods study with accessibility consultants and other faculty in a community college pilot program focussed on redesigning courses to increase inclusiveness. Findings highlight the successful and well-received role…

Higher education and K-12 institutions have seen an increase in dual-credit participation for students with learning challenges. Given the rapid growth in the dual-credit programs and increasing numbers of students entering higher education institutions with learning challenges, more research was needed to support students in dual-credit programs…

Students with disabilities are entering higher education at higher rates than ever before. However, the retention rates of these students are disproportionately low compared to peers without disabilities. More so, students with learning disabilities are less likely to be retained compared to those with other types of disabilities. This study…

With nearly 20% of college students reporting having a disability, disability services play a critical role in supporting students' access to higher education. Disability services has been critiqued for practicing from a reactive mode and may benefit from the collaborative partnerships with campus disability studies and disability culture…

Although an abundance of research has discussed the importance of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), there is little research on how UDL may be used in syllabus construction. The authors developed and validated the UDL Syllabus Scale (UDLSS), which evaluates higher education instructors' ability to design a syllabus using UDL principles. Over…

In scholarly research, disabilities are predominantly understood as something that obscures assessment rather than enriches it. In this study, I examine how research on assessment adjustments (e.g. extra time in tests and separate testing rooms) portrays disabled students. I discuss how this area of research plays a role in constructing an image…

There are over 135,000 deaf/hard of hearing students enrolled in postsecondary institutions in the U.S. However, deaf students who use sign language may not be aware of their sign language skills, resulting in accommodations that do not provide full access to postsecondary course content and reduced degree completion rates compared to their…

To replace the current professional paradigm of higher education disability resources, socially-just disability resources emerged as the next step for the field to progress relative to creating experiences for students with disabilities that are not only accessible and equitable but also socially-just. Overall, descriptions of socially-just…

My research project is based on The Role of Accessibility Specialists and Related Personnel in Supporting Students with Disabilities in Higher Education. I chose to pursue this topic simply because it is personal to me. I believe that students with disabilities in higher education deserve the opportunity to earn a college degree. However, limited…