Historically, diversity and inclusivity in the educational system have only sometimes been as welcoming as today (Boroson, 2017; Osgood, 2005). According to the literature on inclusion in education, several factors have contributed to negative perceptions of students with disabilities participating in general education classrooms (Abawi, 2015;…

Inclusive research based on collaborative partnership with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities has the potential to lead to relevant and meaningful research outcomes. An inclusive research approach is necessary for research endeavors which strive to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people with intellectual and developmental…

Research has indicated that by acquiring the skills realted to self-determination postschoool outcomes and quality of life are likely to improve for young adults with disabilities. Therefore, instructional efforts focused on fostering the self-determination skills is considered an essential component of the educational program and services for…

The world faces an imminent environmental crisis, highlighting the role of effective Environmental Education (EE) in cultivating an environmentally literate society capable of making informed decisions regarding individual and collective environmental actions. A primary goal of EE is the promotion of pro-environmental behaviour, a complex outcome…

English learners with disabilities graduate from high school at lower rates than non-disabled, non-minority peers. These students face complex learning and performance challenges because of their learning disabilities and lack of English proficiency. The qualitative research question addressed how ten adult alternative high school English learners…

Approximately 30% of individuals with autism have complex communication needs (CCN). These individuals are unable to use vocal speech as their primary form of language and typically require support across several areas of communication such as comprehension, pragmatics, phonology, semantics, and syntax (Ganz et al., 2022; Reichle, 2019).…

The landscape of higher education has evolved to include students from diverse economic, cultural, and neurodiverse backgrounds. A notable increase has been observed in the enrollment of students with disabilities, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) qualitative study…

This doctoral capstone project assesses the impact and effectiveness of using peer mentoring workbooks as a tool to enhance the transition of college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A peer mentoring workbook was developed using theoretical frameworks to guide its design and identification of primary occupations, roles,…

The United States public education system has a disconnect between teachers' experiences and ever-growing student heterogeneity -- heterogeneity in race, ethnicity, language, cultural background, and disability. Disability is now understood as an identity that contributes to the intersectionality of how students experience school. While the number…

Students with disabilities (SWDs) face challenges in following rules and expectations. The problem addressed by this study was that SWDs experience disproportionate levels of exclusionary discipline when compared to their non-disabled peers. This quantitative causal-comparative study examined the impact of different levels of positive behavior…

This qualitative multiple case study aimed to understand how special education paraprofessionals, who work with students with low-incidence disabilities, experience stress and resilience through a compassion fatigue conceptual lens. I explored paraprofessional perspectives on stress factors relevant to workload and student challenges, along with…

This research aims to explore the impact of Computer-Aided Instruction (CAI) on the reading achievement of students with special needs, framed within Zhu's Theory of Smart Learning Environments and insights from Snyder et al. (2019) on technology in special needs education. The study addresses whether CAI can significantly enhance reading outcomes…

There is an increase in the identification of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout the country. There is also an emphasis on inclusion within the classrooms in the country. This qualitative study addresses the need for teachers to grasp more knowledge about Autism so that they can help children with autism have better access to…

Self-determination, as a vital topic for individuals with disabilities, has received a narrow investigation in Saudi Arabia and the Middle Eastern communities. Therefore, it is imperative to examine evidence-based practices to furnish insight into the efficacy of self-determination models not only through theoretical research methods but also via…

Fifty percent of African American men with learning disabilities will not persist past their first year of college (Newman et al., 2011). A bachelor's degree for an African American man means that he is five times less likely to be incarcerated than his peers with a high school diploma and will, on average, make approximately $32,000 per year more…