The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how fifteen students with blindness and visual impairments experienced their engagement in undergraduate studies at four 4-year universities and perceived their success. They also provided their understandings of the impact of institutions, faculty, staff, and others on their academic success.…

A Delphi study was used to examine the construct of college readiness for students with learning disabilities. An expert panel of 29 individuals with backgrounds in special education, postsecondary transitions, higher education, and/or counseling identified and rated the importance of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and other factors they believe to…

In this study, the authors developed, administered, and evaluated a measure of individual actions of college students with disabilities and their perceptions of postsecondary and social supports. An exploratory factor analysis resulted in nine reliable factors in these three areas. Follow-up regression analyses revealed that self-advocacy…

Intercollegiate forensics (speech and debate) programs represent an outgrowth of the communication curriculum. As such, the goal of forensic programs is to encourage students to become responsible advocates in democratic societies through developing appropriate communication skills and attitudes. This paper extends earlier research, providing…

In 1997, the government of Ontario announced the establishment of the Learning Opportunities Task Force (LOTF) to develop and administer a series of pilot projects to enhance the transition of students with specific learning disabilities into postsecondary education, and to identify what supports, services and accommodations would assist these…

Students with disabilities are increasingly enrolled in postsecondary education, yet many of them are not prepared to cope with the rigor of higher education. Students who do not have the skills of self-empowerment often experience frustration and discouragement in the postsecondary setting, leading to their dropping out of school and eventually…

This review explored the literature on programs for students with learning disabilities incorporating self-advocacy components into secondary-to-post-secondary transition programs. An evaluation of self-advocacy components is presented to determine to what extent such self-advocacy skills as knowing one's rights, effective communication skills,…

This article chronicles the struggles of a student who is profoundly deaf and his relationship with a home tutor. His rejection of offered traditional supports (such as hearing aids, employment, placement in a community college) are discussed, along with the contributions of the disability movement in shaping his view of himself as…

For the individual seeking a counselor education faculty position, the journey is a complicated process. In addition to the assistance given to doctoral students, it is important for these students to be self-advocates in their own professional development. This paper provides suggestions, information, and self-advocacy recommendations for…

In interviews with two disabled young adults, the difficulties of college life, both on and off campus, are explored. Topics covered include such areas as the problems of transportation, fears, leaving home, friendships, housing, support systems, and self-advocacy. (PHR)

A survey of 510 practitioners engaged in support services to college students with learning disabilities investigated attitudes toward and practice of self-advocacy training and methods to reduce student dependence on programs and increase autonomy. While most expressed strong support for self-advocacy practices, it was found that far fewer use…

Describes parallel persuasive processes between social or political activism and personal self-advocacy in a study of AIDS activism and communication patterns between people with HIV or AIDS and health care personnel. Encourages greater patient education about the illness and treatment options. Promotes a more assertive stance toward health care,…

Provides an operational definition of self-advocacy as it pertains to adolescent and adult learners with learning disabilities in postsecondary settings, describes model high school and college programs that teach self-advocacy skills, and discusses important follow-up and support activities essential to the effective use of these skills.…

A study involving 94 typical college freshmen, 32 college athletes, and 30 students with learning disabilities (LD) found several students with LD reported possible intrinsic processing weaknesses. Students with LD also self-reported difficulties that would affect their ability to engage in self-advocacy through communication, self-awareness, and…

For some students with mild or moderate disabilities, postsecondary education might include attendance at a community college, technical school, or 4-year college. From 1978 to 1991, the percentage of full-time college freshmen reporting disabilities more than tripled, with visual impairments and learning disabilities making up half the…