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ERIC Number: EJ701986
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Mar-1
Pages: 10
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0146-3934
EISSN: N/A
Quality Disability Support for Promoting Belonging and Academic Success within the College Community
Graham-Smith, Sheila; Lafayette, Ssereta
College Student Journal, v38 n1 p90 Mar 2004
Positive classroom experiences in college are critical to successful inclusion of students with disabilities in the campus community. For students with disabilities, this includes classroom accommodations coordinated by a disability support office. In the fall of 2002, an electronic survey was sent out to students at Baylor University requesting accommodations asking what was most beneficial for them. The responses were overwhelmingly in favor of a caring staff and a safe environment where the struggles of college life can be addressed. This indicates to the researchers that being cognizant of an individual's spirit is more important than structure and policy. Without providing understanding, the cares, struggles, and needs of individual students go untouched and success becomes untenable. Care overcomes the sense of isolation and separateness that a student with disabilities feels and gives him/herself the permission to nevertheless belong and succeed in a frightening and challenging college environment. The other listed, defined, and researched accommodations are all necessary, yet they must be provided by a caring staff who not only can discern individual needs, and provide the necessary resources, but can open the doors of success opportunities by empowering students through trustful regard and encouragement.
Project Innovation, Inc., P.O. Box 8508, Spring Hill Station, Mobile, AL 36689-0508. Web site: http://journals825.home.mindspring.com/csj/html.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A