Post-Secondary Education for Graduate Students with Disabilities Focus Group Kari Smith, MSW, MA July 10, 2008

K. Smith Institute on Disability and Human Development IDHD “The Institute on Disability and Human Development (IDHD), a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD) is dedicated to promoting the independence, productivity and inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of society.” Source:

K. Smith Institute on Disability and Human Development IDHD “The values of cultural diversity, consumer choice and self- determination are emphasized across the life span in all training, public service, and research activities of the Institute.” Source:

K. Smith Institute on Disability and Human Development (IDHD) IDHD accomplishes the mission through the following activities:  Research  Dissemination of information  Clinical & Community Service  Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Training Adapted from:

K. Smith Post –Secondary Supports/Accommodations to Graduate Students Some students are unaware that they are entitled to accommodations under Section 504 and some are afraid to ask professors for accommodations due to fears of being stigmatized for having a disability (Dowrick, et al., 2005; West, et al., 1993). Some students are unaware that they are entitled to accommodations under Section 504 and some are afraid to ask professors for accommodations due to fears of being stigmatized for having a disability (Dowrick, et al., 2005; West, et al., 1993). There appears to be a gap in the research literature in regards to the experiences of graduate students with disabilities at the university level (Dowrick, et al., 2005; West, et al., 1993). There appears to be a gap in the research literature in regards to the experiences of graduate students with disabilities at the university level (Dowrick, et al., 2005; West, et al., 1993).

K. Smith The Project Outline Idea Review Research Literature IRB Application Focus Group Data & Analysis IRB app. Focus Grp. Data & Analysis Idea

K. Smith Focus Group Consisted of Approx. 10 structured Consisted of Approx. 10 structuredQuestions Held on Monday, July 28, Facilitated by the intern (Kari Smith), Associate Director of IDHD (Mary Kay Rizzolo), and Director of the Great Lakes ADA Center (Robin Jones). Held on Monday, July 28, Facilitated by the intern (Kari Smith), Associate Director of IDHD (Mary Kay Rizzolo), and Director of the Great Lakes ADA Center (Robin Jones). 4 graduate students with disabilities participated. 4 graduate students with disabilities participated.

K. Smith Sample Focus Group Discussion Questions How is your experience with graduate school different from your experience in undergraduate education regarding seeking accommodations for your disability? How is your experience with graduate school different from your experience in undergraduate education regarding seeking accommodations for your disability? Probes: If your accommodation needs in graduate school differ from your undergraduate needs, please describe some examples of how your needs differ.

K. Smith Sample Focus Group Discussion Questions What specific roles do you envision a mentor playing? What specific roles do you envision a mentor playing? Probes: Would you utilize a mentor if one were available to you? What advice would you share with graduate students with disabilities who are new to the university? In other words, what are the things new students with disabilities need to know that no one tells them? What advice would you share with graduate students with disabilities who are new to the university? In other words, what are the things new students with disabilities need to know that no one tells them?

K. Smith Data 3 Themes Emerged: 3 Themes Emerged:1-Accommodations2-Barriers3-Recommendations/Needs

K. Smith Data Accommodations: 7 topics under accommodations were discussed including types of accommodations, workload, the process in obtaining accommodations, and positive aspects of supports received. Barriers: 9 topics were discussed including University barriers, educational barriers, accessing information, and the Disability Resource Center.

Data Recommendations/Needs: Recommendations/Needs: Recommendations/needs included advocacy for students with disabilities, community information, expanded university housing options, orientation to the university, and a peer mentoring program for graduate students with disabilities.

K. Smith Implications/Impact Departments/Community The intern assisted in: The intern assisted in: identifying barriers for graduate students with disabilities identifying barriers for graduate students with disabilities developing recommendations for the Dept. on Disability Studies and the Disability Resource Center to address barriers developing recommendations for the Dept. on Disability Studies and the Disability Resource Center to address barriers researching information for a pilot mentoring for graduate students with disabilities researching information for a pilot mentoring for graduate students with disabilities Hopefully, UIC will progress towards becoming a universally accessible campus Hopefully, UIC will progress towards becoming a universally accessible campus

K. Smith Implications/Impact Participants Participants enjoyed the opportunity to share their thoughts in a safe environment Participants enjoyed the opportunity to share their thoughts in a safe environment The discussion was rather candid The discussion was rather candid Able to share stories and outcomes Able to share stories and outcomes

K. Smith Implications/Impact Self Opportunity to complete an IRB proposal Opportunity to complete an IRB proposal Opportunity to facilitate a focus group Opportunity to facilitate a focus group Opportunity to analyze focus group data Opportunity to analyze focus group data Understanding of the needs of graduate students with disabilities Understanding of the needs of graduate students with disabilities

K. Smith References/Sources IDHD website: A list of references is available upon request.