Participation in recreation activities is an important contributor to quality of life and well-being. However, recreation participation and satisfaction are reduced among individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to barriers at the individual and environmental level. Community-based recreation events offer inclusive solutions but remain…

In spring 2021, I taught a synchronous online course in disability studies, communing with young people struggling with their present and future as educators. The students not only felt empowered to introduce themselves with their preferred pronouns, but they were also empowered to disclose their disabilities. One-third of the students identified…

This study examined the relationship between acceptance of disability, perceived stigma of students on a college campus and adaptation to college for students with disabilities. One hundred forty-five surveys were collected from student participants via the disability support services offices at sixteen colleges or universities in the northeast…

Purpose: The number of students with disabilities pursuing a college education has increased dramatically in recent years (Hall and Belch, 2000; Hitchings et al., 2011; Horn et al., 2006; Retish and Horvath, 2005; Snyder et al., 2016; Stodden et al., 2001), yet, evidence suggests that these students continue to encounter significant challenges and…

Evidence consistently reveals that taking part in an inclusion classroom does not guarantee that children with disabilities will be accepted, valued, or included (Lindsay & Edwards, 2012; Rillota & Nettelbeck, 2007; Ison et al., 2010). Children with disabilities have been reported to have significantly less friendships and overall social…

Although research demonstrates the positive impact that inclusive environments have on academic and post-school outcomes for students with intellectual disability, this population of students continues to experience wide variability in access to general education environments. For example, in New York, the variation of placement of students with…

Qualitative data were gathered, via surveys and interviews, from students with disabilities enrolled in undergraduate and graduate professional preparation programs, with the intention to learn about their reasons for not disclosing their disability status or not pursuing relevant accommodations. Findings indicate their primary motivations are to…

When integrated into pre-service education programs, service learning has the potential to influence teacher candidates' pedagogy, professional dispositions, commitment to teaching, and sensitivity to student differences. Teacher candidates may make biased assumptions about an individual with a particular disability label based upon what they…

Compelling reasons exist for moving toward inclusion of diverse learners in Jewish day schools. Graduate programs face the challenge of preparing pre- and in-service teachers as effective educators for inclusive settings. While the development of skills is vital, the inculcation of positive attitudes regarding diverse learners may be equally…

The presence of students with disabilities (SWD) at colleges and universities in the United States has increased significantly in recent years, yet many of these students continue to encounter significant barriers that can have a profound impact on their college experience. Salient factors that contribute to the challenging climate for SWD include…

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of pre-service and in-service education students, towards inclusion in school settings. Graduate students working on their New York State teacher certification in early childhood special education (n = 152) completed a survey, "Attitudes Toward Inclusion." The survey addressed the…

In this paper, I provide a window into the lived experience of a group of urban high school science students confronted with the stigma associated with special education, disability, and academic failure and present tools to understanding the ideological forces and institutional structures that undermine the ability of schools to create a culture…

With the passing of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), all children were granted a free and appropriate education in the least restrictive environment (LRE) in which they are given access to the general education curriculum. There has been much research on the topic of inclusion in public…

An urban Pre-K through 5th grade school referred to as Westvale Elementary School was the focal point for this research study. Westvale was located within an urban district in New York State that was host to approximately 20,000 students. Both the school and the district were labeled as failing under the No Child Left Behind Act. Foucauldian…

This study explores how one secondary social studies teacher education program prepares prospective teachers for inclusive education. Drawing on theories of democratic citizenship education and Disability Studies in Education, inclusive social studies envisions a socially democratic educational setting that fosters the development of a community…