ENABLING THE PARTICIPATION OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN HEALTH AND HUMAN PROFESSIONS

Labor market participation is strongly associated with education, and for people with disabilities, this association is even stronger. Therefore ensuring accessibility for students with diverse disabilities to higher education... [ view full abstract ]

Labor market participation is strongly associated with education, and for people with disabilities, this association is even stronger. Therefore ensuring accessibility for students with diverse disabilities to higher education is crucial. In spite of initial changes in legislation and policy worldwide, and with the development of access programs for students with disabilities, there remains a low enrolment and a high drop-out rate. In addition, most studies do not address the complex contexts which students with disabilities in health service professions experience in their academic and fieldwork. This complexity creates a struggle to educators and service providers with the intersection of human rights legislation and the requirements of higher education and professional competencies. Occupational therapists deal with this complexity both as educators and as accessibility experts. To address the identified gaps in knowledge, an international, interdisciplinary research consortium has been established. In this symposium we will share 4 presentations from across the globe by members of this team. Presentations will follow the transition of students with disabilities from the academic to the practicum contexts. We will focus on students’ and Practice Educators’ perspective on barriers, and on the supports available whilst on placement. Following presentations, participants will have the opportunity to discuss the barriers to and opportunities for supporting inclusion of students with disabilities in higher education in general and in occupational therapy in particular. Parameters in considering academic and practicum accommodations and balance between accommodations and competencies required to graduate in various programs will be examined.