The legitimization process of students with disabilities in Health and Human Service educational programs in Canada |
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| Authors: | Adam Easterbrook Laura Bulk Parisa Ghanouni Michael Lee Bathseba Opini Earllene Roberts |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada;2. Department of Social Work, The University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, BC, Canada |
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| Abstract: | Policy-makers have articulated the right to education for individuals with disabilities. Nevertheless, students with disabilities remain underrepresented in universities. Students in Health and Human Service (HHS) programs experience many unique challenges that disadvantage them, such as having to complete practicums. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 students in HHS programs who identified as having a disability to explore the challenges that they experienced. We found that students had to legitimate their ability to perform the roles of student and future practitioner. This legitimization process involved three components: negotiation of the disability label, selective disclosure, and advocacy. Our findings demonstrate how subtle and insidious forms of marginalization and stigmatization work to create barriers for students with disabilities. |
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| Keywords: | students disability legitimization labeling disclosure advocacy |
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