Disability and Equity in Education Commons^™

Preparando Para Su Edad Y Su Futuro: Latina Mothers’ Perspectives Of Navigating Postsecondary Transition For Autistic Youth, Kristina Rios Dr., Katherine R. Brendli Brown, Genna Kieper, Cynthia Velasquez, Amber Brown Ruiz

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Families play a critical role in the education and service provision of Autistic students. However, much of the existing research on family involvement and expectations has centered on families of younger Autistic children and has disproportionately reflected the experiences of White families, even though Latinx families may include individuals of any racial background. Furthermore, while there is growing transition literature focused on families of color, Latinx families—particularly those with Spanish-speaking caregivers—remain underrepresented in studies examining the postsecondary transition. There is a critical need for research that captures Latinx caregivers’ perspectives on navigating the transition process and identifies how educators can …

Inaccessibility Harms: Exploring The Impact Of Inaccessible Campus Organizations On Disabled Students, Francis W. Q. Corvin, Natalie G. Horgan

Purdue Journal of Service-Learning and International Engagement

There are 3.5 million Disabled college students in the United States, with 4,671 utilizing disability services at Purdue University. Nationwide, 8–14% of students in higher education are Disabled, indicating a substantial number of students whose needs should be prioritized and supported. Inaccessibility impacts the way Disabled college students are able to engage with the college experience. Inaccessible classes, restrooms, clubs, job fairs, and campuses create significant barriers thatthat extend far beyond the classroom. Disabled students face challenges in securing scholarships, finding employment, graduating on time, and achieving long-term socioeconomic stability. Recognizing these barriers, HonorServes, a community service student committee at …

Exploring Self-Doubt In Community College Computer Science: Evidence From Exploratory Factor Analysis, Trent W. Dawson

Research & Publications

Community college (CC) students make up a growing portion of introductory computing courses, yet little is known about their attitudes going into early programming experiences. This pilot study explored CC students’ initial perceptions of readiness for introductory computing. Exploratory factor analysis revealed two initial dimensions: a higher-perceived-ability factor based on positively framed items and a lower-perceived-ability factor based on negatively framed items. The higher perceived ability factor showed little difference between students with and without programming experience, indicating that early optimism may limit distinctions on positively worded items. In contrast, the factor of lower perceived ability indicated evident differences between …

The Effect Of A Preclinical Disability Elective On Medical Student Awareness, Attitudes, And Clinical Competency, Emily Hillmer, Willi Horner-Johnson, Rhonda Eppelsheimer

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Opportunities for education on disability are sparse in many medical school curricula, leaving students ill-prepared to address the needs of patients with disabilities in their future careers. The purpose of our study was to design and implement a novel elective course on disability for medical students and evaluate the effect of the course on student awareness, attitudes, and clinical skills. Medical students were surveyed to assess interest in a new disability elective and to understand in what areas they felt their knowledge and skills were most lacking. With support from our University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disability, we utilized …

The Power Of A Formative Experiment In An Inclusion Science Education Classroom, K. Lea Alexander, Marla K. Robinson

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Formative experiments offer a novel approach to research educational interventions

in inclusion science classrooms. This research examined whether using a formative experiment design with an intervention called Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) increased reading comprehension in grade-level biology text and science self-efficacy of students who had learning disabilities in reading in an inclusion biology classroom. Despite the small n, the results showed that there were statistically significant increases in the comprehension of grade-level biology text and science self-efficacy for the students with learning disabilities who participated in the study.

The Hbcu Experience Panel : Why I Chose My Hbcu And How It Helped Me Prepare For My Career, Illinois Math And Science Academy, Angela Richardson

Educational Panels

Dr. Anita Connors White (Dean of Scholarship) - Panel Moderator

Angela Richardson (Information Resource Center, Supervisor)Event and Panel Coordinator

Panelists:

• Justin Alfred : Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge. Civil Engineering / Computer science. Lockheed Martin.
• Joseph Bertrand ‘20 : Alumni : North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Associate Engineer at Caterpillar Inc.
• Darryl Burrell Jr. : Alumni :Morgan State University . Project manager at city of Pearland, Texas engineering and Public Works.
• Dr. Garry J. Kennebrew Jr. ‘04 : MAJ, US Army Reserve. Emergency Medicine Physician . Hospitals of Providence. University Medical Center of El Paso. Studied …

Building School, Family, And Community Partnerships That Support Rural Diverse And Exceptional Learners, Jerrie L. Brooks, Brooke A. Moore, Megan S. Finnerty

The Rural Educator

Research demonstrates that school, family, and community partnerships are mutually beneficial, holding the potential to foster positive educational, emotional, and behavioral benefits for all students, especially diverse and exceptional students. Our qualitative study examined survey responses from 109 administrators, general and special educators, and parents in rural schools across western Kansas. We identified common barriers and successes to building parent partnerships related to communication, access, and attitudes about working with diverse and exceptional families. One major finding was the importance of “place”—rural communities are often close-knit and connected across generations. We propose a model that can be used by rural …

“Oh! It’S Fine, We’Re Not Even Counting This Anyways”: Remote Educational Experiences Of Rural Families With A Child With A Disability During The Early Covid-19 Pandemic, Andrew M. Colombo-Dougovito, A. Josephine Blagrave, Aubrey Newland

The Rural Educator

Disparities in rural areas regarding technology, internet access, and higher teacher turnover were amplified as a plurality of schools across the US moved to remote instruction in early 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While rural communities often show a greater resiliency and resourcefulness in the face of tragedy than their (typically) more affluent suburban or urban neighbors, regardless of location, the needs of children receiving educational accommodations are often not met effectively or are ignored altogether. To understand if those educational needs were met for rural families early in the COVID-19 pandemic, an exploratory descriptive qualitative approach …

A Phenomenologically Informed Study Of Black Male Preservice Teachers’ Lived Experiences: Professional Socialization, Social Representation, And The Redesign Of Teacher Education For Equity, William A. Anders

Student Theses

This qualitative research explores the experiences of Black male preservice teachers in New York City’s teacher education programs. To examine the underrepresentation of Black male preservice teachers, the research employs Critical University Studies and Critical Race Theory to investigate the institutional barriers they face. Using semi-structured interviews with seven participants and reflexive thematic analysis, the findings revealed six paramount themes: Pathways in Teaching, Representation and Identity, Experiences in Teacher Education, Racial Bias and Institutional Challenges, the Role of Mentorship and Support Networks, and Teaching Philosophy.

Participants described the challenges that Black male preservice teachers face, including isolation, economic hardships, unsuitable …

Greater Newark Stem Ecosystem - 2026 Convening - Small Group Outcomes & Action Plan, Brad Schenker

STEM for Success Showcase

In January 2026, GNSE convened ecosystem partners for a co-design session focused on identifying shared challenges, opportunities, and near-term actions to strengthen STEM education and career-connected learning. Participants engaged in small-group discussions to surface barriers, enablers, and potential areas for coordinated action.

Humanity Is Evolving Its Consciousness: The Role Of Archetypal Energies As Guides During An Unfolding Weeding Out And Alignment Process, Carroy U. Ferguson

Psychology Faculty Publication Series

Humanity is evolving its consciousness at individual and collective levels.  Given these seemingly tumultuous times, as of this writing (January 2026), to make such a statement may sound like a strange thing to say.  However, I suggest that if you are alive today and if you are reading these words, these are the very times for which you were born—to assist Humanity as it evolves its consciousness with your unique gifts, whatever they may be.  That is, this period of our individual and collective human being-ness may be characterized as an unfolding period of weeding out and alignment with the …

Exploring Teacher Perspectives On The Self-Esteem Of Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders: A Qualitative Study, Bahaa Al Ghraibeh

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Self-esteem affects many other abilities of students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD). Teachers can play a crucial role in influencing the self-esteem of these students. This interpretive qualitative study aims to investigate teachers' perceptions of the self-esteem of students with EBD, identify the factors they believe affect these students’ self-esteem, and explore the strategies they employ to enhance the self-esteem of these students. The results reveal three key themes: first, teachers perceive that students with EBD frequently face challenges related to self-esteem; second, they recognize that a variety of factors influence the self-esteem of these students; and third, teachers …

How To Finalize Pdfs To Correspond To American Disabilities Act (Ada) Tagging: The Basics, Kimberly Holling

ScholarWorks Publications

This document is a basic step-by-step outline for tagging a PDF file in accordance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA).  ADA tagging allows a digital document to work well with screen readers in order to assist those with visual impairments to more fully engage with a document's content.  This is not a comprehensive guide, as it will not cover forms or complex tables.  This specific workflow shows how to use Adobe Acrobat Pro to work with, finalize, and verify accessibility in PDFs created from simple Word documents.  Such documents should already use Word heading and list features and very simple …

The Indispensable Role Of The Sister Disability Agencies: Safeguarding Progress And Enhancing Outcomes Through Collaboration, Lesley Cottrell, Susan Given, Christina E. Wiseman

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This manuscript emphasizes the critical importance of having a Disability Network of services—including University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, and Protection & Advocacy organizations - in promoting systemic innovation and improved outcomes for individuals with developmental disabilities. Highlighting a case study from West Virginia, where collaboration between West Virginia University’s Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Disability Rights of West Virginia, and the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council has resulted in cost-effective, sustainable improvements, this paper underscores the urgent need to protect and expand these programs amidst current policy threats. The evidence underscores that …

Increasing Participation Through Online Focus Groups With Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Emily L. Cary, Chris A. Taylor, Susan Havercamp, Andrea Witwer

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The aim of this study was to develop and describe methods on how to conduct virtual focus groups with adults with intellectual disability. Using a community-engaged research approach, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities helped develop virtual focus group methods. We report on the implementation of these methods through an illustrative application of applying these adaptations to virtual focus groups with 13 adults with intellectual disability in a study assessing their perspectives on mental health therapy.

This work resulted in several adaptations that can enhance inclusivity of focus group research to individuals with intellectual disability. Adaptions broadly included: involving guardians …

Training On "Learn The Signs. Act Early." In Head Start And Early Head Start Shows Ineffective Without Supporting Implementation Policy, Kayla Livingston, Mary O'Donnell, Kate G. Barlow

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Early identification and intervention for children with developmental delays improves child outcomes, yet many children are not monitored, screened, or identified early despite its effectiveness. The relationship between the use of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” developmental monitoring program and referrals to intervention services is not well understood. This study investigated how “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” implementation practices within Massachusetts’ Head Start and Early Head Start agencies correlated with the rate of referrals to intervention services. Researchers utilized a non-experimental quantitative design. Secondary data on referral rates from Head Start and Early …

Educating Medical Trainees On Mental Healthcare And Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Andrea Palmieri, Joan B. Beasley, Micah Peace Urquilla, Jennifer Mclaren

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Many children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience mental health conditions and commonly receive treatment with psychotropic medications. Prescribers often overuse these medications in children with IDD, who are frequently treated with polypharmacy and antipsychotics, a trend that continues into adulthood. Medical trainees receive little training regarding the IDD patient population. This paper describes the development and evaluation of an evidence-informed, easy-to-use training curriculum. The 6-hour training establishes a foundation for medical trainees regarding the treatment of mental health conditions in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD-MH) as part of an integrated health, interdisciplinary treatment approach. …

Addressing The Void Of Ai Policies In Education For Students With Specific Learning Disabilities, Mikyung Shin, Fatmana Deniz, Latesha Watson, Cynthia Dieterich, Kathy B. Ewoldt, Friggita Johnson, Jennifer E. Kong, Sung Hee Lee, April Whitehurst

Education Faculty Articles and Research

The purpose of this study was to identify the current state of artificial intelligence (AI) policies in U.S. education and propose actionable recommendations through large language model–based topic modeling and Delphi surveys. Out of 12 policy documents released between 2015 and 2025, only two documents (National Center for Learning Disabilities, 2024; W.A. v. Clarksville/Montgomery County School System, 2024) specifically addressed learning disabilities. Policy documents addressing topics such as AI-driven risk assessment, data protection, legal risk management, and ethical guidelines covering other disabilities and general AI in education policy were provided as baselines that could be discussed and validated through …

Multimedia-Based Interventions To Improve Science Learning Outcomes For Deaf Students At Wangsel Institute For The Deaf., Cheten Tshering Mr., Tshering Wangchuk

Journal of Science Education for Students with Disabilities

Efforts have been made to ensure inclusive learning opportunities for all students, including those from diverse backgrounds. One key strategy to enhance children’s learning and academic performance involves the thoughtful selection and application of instructional tools tailored to meet learners' specific needs. This study examines the impact of multimedia-based instruction on science achievement among deaf students at Wangsel Institute for the Deaf in Bhutan. Using a quasi-experimental design, the research compared pretest and post-test results between a control group and an experimental group. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (t-test) and ANCOVA. The findings indicated a statistically significant differences (p = …

Shedding The Chrysalis: Black Women Leading In Higher Education, Olga M. Welch, Carolyn R. Hodges

Navigating Careers in Higher Education Series

Shedding the Chrysalis: Black Women Leading in Higher Education features the voices of six experienced and emerging Black females in a variety of academic leadership roles. This book provides a Black feminist perspective, highlighting the need to address racial realism within higher education administration. These personal testimonies focus on a variety of levels in the academic hierarchy to emphasize the continuum across the lived experiences of these women, some of whom have served in multiple upper-level administrative roles. The contributors’ positions range from postdoctoral research fellows to positions reporting to central administration at predominantly white institutions. Shedding the Chrysalis underscores …