Inclusion in higher education: how students with physical disabilities experienced the transition from high school to higher education?

Theoretical background: On 30 January 2014, a decree on inclusion in higher education has been adopted in the French part of Belgium, with the aim of facilitating access to education and to socio-professional integration for students with disabilities. Nevertheless, even if disability support services exist and display positive effects, they are rarely requested (Dong & Lucas, 2016) and students with disabilities may still encounter specific challenges (Feldman, 2004). Objectives: This study investigates (1) how students with physical disabilities live the transition from high school to higher education, (2) the meaning they attribute to their disabilities in their career journey and (3) how they feel about supports provided by their universities. Method: Eight to ten semi-structured interviews of university students with physical disabilities will be conducted and analyzed with the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, Flowers, & Larkin, 2009). So far, three interviews were performed and two were analyzed in details. Results: From these first two interviews, five super-ordinated themes emerged. The transition was lived as a radical change, experienced as a source of apprehension (1) which had an influence on self-affirmation (2) and was considered as a favorable time to question the meaning of one’s disability (3). Participants also reported the importance to find a balance between formal and informal support (4) and to dialogue with others to challenge preconceived ideas about disabled persons (5) as social integration seems to be a major issue for them. Discussion: The transition from high school to higher education is a critical period which influences self-affirmation and the way students define the meaning of their disabilities. To help them to go through this transition, social support and dialogue seem particularly relevant. Implications for practice in disability support services will be discussed