Students with disabilities attend college at higher rates than they have in previous years; however, students with disabilities do not graduate from college at the same rate as students without disabilities. This mixed method study, guided by the Social Change Model of Leadership theoretical framework, examined the transition of six students with…

Three of four high school students with special needs become unemployed after graduation. These students, referred to as "bridge students" as they transition into postsecondary life, seldomly escape lifestyles of criminal, sedentary or dependent behavior. Certain protocols enacted at the high school level may act as either barriers or…

This dissertation is an exploratory study on self-determination in students with disabilities in a postsecondary environment. Two questions were asked on self-determination levels in higher education students with disabilities and vital self-advocacy skills in higher education. A survey with closed-ended and open-ended questions was administered…

Students with learning disabilities continue to make advancements in their preparation for post-secondary studies and are one of the largest growing populations to enter colleges and universities. However, it is estimated that only forty percent of students with a learning disability report it to their post-secondary schools, creating difficulties…

This qualitative study identified four educators' perceptions and their implementation of teaching advocacy to students with disabilities within a public secondary educational setting. Federal mandates, such as Public Law 94-142, requested educators including administrators, counselors, special educators, and general educators to help…