The experiences of a student with cerebral palsy at a higher education institution: a case study

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT : Across the world, the inclusion and support of all students in mainstream educationsystems is accepted as a basic human right. Although access to higher educationinstitutions for students with physical impairments has improved over the last two decades,in line with the Salamanca Statement and the United Nations Convention on the Rights ofPersons with Disabilities, full inclusion of students with physical impairments at highereducation institutions is yet to be realized. The purpose of this critical narrative inquiry wasto investigate the experience of one student with cerebral palsy at a higher educationinstitution in order to gain valuable insights into the nature of support required for futurestudents with similar physical impairments in higher education. A critical emancipatoryparadigm was adopted incorporating qualitative life history case study methodology.Interviews and the co-researcher's disability poetry formed the primary sources of data forthis inquiry. In order to convey the true essence of the co-researcher's story, narrative andthematic data analyses were utilized. The key message to emerge from this inquiry is thatstudents with physical impairments are a heterogeneous group, and as such, need to besupported individually by means of a social relational approach to disability. Highereducation institutions need to play a pivotal role in creating pathways to success for thesestudents by creating socially cohesive environments and by applying universal design forlearning principles systemically.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University