University faculty perceptions about accommodations for students with learning disabilities

ABSTRACT

Researchers have identified accommodations as important determinants of academic performance among students with learning disabilities (LD) in post-secondary education. The purpose of the current study was to examine the willingness of university faculty members in one northern university in Israel to provide accommodations for students with LD, using quantitative and qualitative measures. The 56 faculty members who participated in the study generally had positive attitudes towards accommodations for students with LD. Differences in willingness to provide technological accommodations were found between the Arabic- and Hebrew-speaking faculty members. When asked how they could support students with LD, faculty members mentioned outside sources of support, such as accommodations and referral to other assistance providers, but also saw themselves as agents of support through personal assistance and modified teaching methods. Interestingly, faculty members did not refer solely to academic support, but also to emotional support and empathy. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Higher education
• inclusive education
• disability

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was part of an MA thesis and was not funded.

Notes on contributors

Marlyn Khouri

Marlyn Khouri has her master degree from the department of learning disabilities, the faculty of education in the University of Haifa, Israel. Today she is working in the realm of diagnosis and treatment for students with learning difficulties. Moreover, she is working on writing and publishing her articles about perception regarding learning disabilities. Marlyn also has first degree from the department of social work, from the University of Haifa, and she is a social worker and a professional manager working to integrate people with special needs in society.

Orly Lipka

Orly Lipka, PhD, is a lecturer at the department of Learning Disabilities, University of Haifa Israel and a member at the Edmond J. Safra Brain Research Center for the study of learning disabilities. She holds a Ph.D. from The University of British Columbia, Vancouver Canada. Her research interests include literacy interventions, learning disabilities, diverse learners, teacher training, students at risk at the post-secondary educations and models of support at the post-secondary education.

Michal Shecter-Lerner

Michal Shecter-Lerner, PhD, is the professional director of the support unit for students with learning disabilities and/or ADHD (YAHEL) at the Dean of Students office at the University of Haifa. She is also a lecturer at Ohalo college in Katzrin and the Arab academic college in Haifa. She is a member of the board of directors of the Learning Disabilities Specialists Association. Her fields of interests are: Intervention plans in learning disabilities and ADHD among adults, attitudes, perceptions and knowledge regarding LD among Hebrew and Arabic speaking students and lecturers.