Academic discourse surrounding college students with disabilities in the United States

Abstract

The attainment of a college degree is an opportunity for upward social and economic mobility. The benefits of a college degree are wide-ranging and include lower rates of unemployment, higher income, increased job security, and a higher quality of life. Historically underrepresented students, including students with disabilities, are attending college and attaining degrees in increasing numbers in the United States. However, there is evidence from prior research suggesting that not all underrepresented students are being discussed equally by the higher education academic community. For all students to succeed in college and beyond, they must all be part of the important conversations surrounding the American higher education system. This research project investigated the academic discourse of four major academic organizations by analyzing the topics presented at their national annual conferences.

Keywords:

• college students with disabilities
• historically underrepresented students
• higher education
• college access
• degree attainment

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.