An Exploration of the Experiences of Faculty with Disabilities in a Research University in the South
Date of Graduation
5-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
School of Social Work
Advisor/Mentor
Kimberly Stauss
Committee Member
John Gallagher
Second Committee Member
Anne O'Leary-Kelly
Keywords
barriers, disability, diversity, faculty, faculty with disabilities, higher education, social work
Abstract
While diversity and inclusion has become a benchmark for universities all around the country, faculty with disabilities remain in the margins of higher education discourse and are a neglected population across the spectrum of academia. This thesis aims at exploring the experiences of faculty with disabilities at a specific research 1 university in the South. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five faculty members who self-identify as having a disability. Four themes emerged from this study: able-bodied lens, fear, social isolation, and coping mechanisms. Building on the existing literature, these findings offer new information to expand the knowledge on the challenges and strengths of this community. The implications section provides practical tools for social workers to engage on this arena. Further research is needed to identify generalizability of results.
Citation
Camp, G. (2020). An Exploration of the Experiences of Faculty with Disabilities in a Research University in the South. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/3691
Included in
Accessibility Commons, Educational Leadership Commons, Higher Education Commons, Social Work Commons