Holistic Needs of University Students with Invisible Disabilities: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

Aim: To inform rehabilitation professionals’ role in supporting transition to higher education through identification and description of disability related needs experienced by university students. Methods: Participants were recruited from a large research-intensive university in the southeastern United States and included 13 students eligible for university disability services, 9 university personnel, and 1 parent of a university student with a disability. Disabilities of study participants were invisible; all but one chose to disclose diagnostic information. Data from 15 individual interviews and 2 focus groups were analyzed for themes. Results: The Navigating Parallel Demands theme elucidates the ways disability related needs extended beyond the classroom to areas of health and wellness, social, and daily living. Navigation in Context describes personal and environmental circumstances surrounding processes used to meet a broad-range of demands. Conclusion: University participation requires students with disabilities to navigate and manage a wide range of demands while securing appropriate supports. Findings inform rehabilitation professionals in providing anticipatory guidance when preparing students with invisible disabilities for postsecondary educational transitions.

KEYWORDS. :

• Invisible disability
• participation
• postsecondary transitions
• qualitative research
• self-advocacy
• transitions to adulthood