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ERIC Number: EJ982477
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1363-9080
EISSN: N/A
Preparing for the World of Work: An Exploratory Study of Disabled Students' Experiences of Work Placement
Georgiou, Catherine Elizabeth; Espahbodi, Shima; De Souza, Lorraine Hilary
Journal of Education and Work, v25 n5 p523-536 2012
For people with disabilities, one of the best ways to achieve independence is through work. Experience gained by undertaking a work placement whilst a student provides valuable knowledge and understanding of the demands of work, and enhances employability on graduation for both students with disabilities and for their non-disabled peers. The aims of this study were to explore the experiences of disabled students who had undertaken work placements as part of their degree courses, and to determine if their experiences adequately prepare them for the world of work once they graduate. A survey, using the Delphi method, was carried out to reveal the five most important positive and negative experiences of students with disabilities following completion of a work placement. Fifty-one students entered the study and 42 completed all requirements. The most important positive experience reported was "gaining experience/knowledge" and the primary negative experience was "demanding expectations". The responses showed highly significant agreement (Kendall's Co-efficient of Concordance; p less than 0.001) for both positive and negative experiences. Findings revealed that students with disabilities have similar work placement experiences to students in general. However, these experiences may have a greater impact on the abilities of students with disabilities to cope and to achieve. (Contains 2 tables.)
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Americans with Disabilities Act 1990
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A