ERIC Number: EJ1029582
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
(dis)Ability and Postsecondary Education: One Woman's Experience
Myers, Melissa; MacDonald, Judy E.; Jacquard, Sarah; Mcneil, Matthew
Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, v27 n1 p73-87 Spr 2014
The storied experiences of a (dis)Abled student negotiating postsecondary education in Canada are highlighted within this article, including advocacy strategies and a critique of related policies. Persons with (dis)Abilities are a particularly marginalized population, traditionally excluded from society, with modern day views of pity or heroics (MacDonald & Friars, 2009). While society has made strides in reducing explicit oppression faced by (dis)Abled persons, covert oppressions persist. Pervasive negative assumptions continue to exist about (dis)Abled people and have led to the propagation of policies that inhibit (dis)Abled people from engaging with society, including being part of the university system. Through a storying process, numerous barriers to accessible postsecondary education will be exposed. Universities are the "think tanks" of tomorrow, a place where critical thought is encouraged and "thinking outside the box" is welcomed. Postsecondary institutions have an opportunity to truly effect change, to pave the way to a barrier free zone, one that is truly accessible structurally and intellectually, providing a welcoming and safe learning environment for (dis)Abled students. Through storying the experiences of one (dis)Abled student, it is hoped that the reader's consciousness will be raised, barriers to postsecondary education will be better understood and ultimately, fully accessible education can be envisioned.
Descriptors: Disabilities, Foreign Countries, Personal Narratives, Advocacy, College Students, Social Attitudes, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Barriers, Educational Environment, College Role, Consciousness Raising, Access to Education, Equal Education, Accessibility (for Disabled), Academic Accommodations (Disabilities)
Association on Higher Education and Disability. 107 Commerce Center Drive Suite 204, Huntersville, NC 28078. Tel: 704-947-7779; Fax: 704-948-7779; e-mail: ahead@ahead.org; Web site: http://www.ahead.org/publications/jped
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A