Increasing numbers of individuals with disabilities are pursuing postsecondary education and training to assist them in achieving satisfying careers and sustainable earnings. Unfortunately, students with disabilities face numerous challenges leading to less than desirable college completion outcomes, with lower rates than their peers without disabilities. As a result of this disparity, there is a growing interest in the factors predicting academic success for students with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to examine modifiable factors (i.e., peer support, disability services, faculty teaching, campus climate, and self-advocacy) as potential predictors of higher academic performance for college students with disabilities. Three hundred and twenty-five students with disabilities from three large universities completed an online survey and participated in this study. Findings indicated that only one modifiable factor: self-advocacy, predicts higher grade point average. Implications for secondary and postsecondary professionals are discussed.
Article
College Students with Disabilities: The Relationship Between Student Characteristics, the Academic Environment, and Performance
The Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-8-2017
Disciplines
Abstract
Citation Information
Fleming, A., Plotner, A. J., & Oertle, K. M. (2017). College Students with Disabilities: The Relationship Between Student Characteristics, the Academic Environment, and Performance. The Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 30(3), 209-221. Accepted October 21, 2016. Published September 8, 2017.