A Qualitative Interview-Based Study of the Experiences of Community College Disability Services Providers

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Nichols, J. (2018). A Qualitative Interview-Based Study of the Experiences of Community College Disability Services Providers. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore and capture the experiences of disability services providers (DSP) within the community college setting as it relates to facilitating and coordinating accommodations for students with disabilities, collaborating with faculty and staff in implementing and arranging accommodations for students with disabilities, and collaborating with administrators of the institution and/or systems within which they work. The study was conducted using a qualitative phenomenological methodology with in-depth interviews and shadowing observations. The participants consisted of seven community college professionals who identified themselves as primary contacts for students with disabilities seeking accommodations at their individual institution. Data were collected using audio recordings of seven interviews and field notes made by the researcher following the shadowing observations of two participants. Pre-interview questionnaire, interview transcripts, observation field notes, and documents were reviewed and analyzed with inductive thematic analysis. Three themes emerged from open-coding and captured shared experiences and perceptions of the participants: importance of awareness and education, pushing through barriers and overcoming obstacles, and value of relationships.

Details
Author

Nichols, Jennifer

Title

A Qualitative Interview-Based Study of the Experiences of Community College Disability Services Providers

Physical Description

1 online resource (149 pages) : PDF

Date

2018

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore and capture the experiences of disability services providers (DSP) within the community college setting as it relates to facilitating and coordinating accommodations for students with disabilities, collaborating with faculty and staff in implementing and arranging accommodations for students with disabilities, and collaborating with administrators of the institution and/or systems within which they work. The study was conducted using a qualitative phenomenological methodology with in-depth interviews and shadowing observations. The participants consisted of seven community college professionals who identified themselves as primary contacts for students with disabilities seeking accommodations at their individual institution. Data were collected using audio recordings of seven interviews and field notes made by the researcher following the shadowing observations of two participants. Pre-interview questionnaire, interview transcripts, observation field notes, and documents were reviewed and analyzed with inductive thematic analysis. Three themes emerged from open-coding and captured shared experiences and perceptions of the participants: importance of awareness and education, pushing through barriers and overcoming obstacles, and value of relationships.

Genre

doctoral dissertations

Subjects--Topics

Education
Education, Higher
Disability studies

Degree

D.Ed.

Keywords

Community College
Disability Services
Higher Education
Post Secondary Education
Students with Disabilities

Subject Area

Educational Leadership

Advisor(s)

D'Amico, Mark

Committee Members

Wang, Chuang
Miller, Ryan
Wood, Charles

Degree Note

Thesis (D.Ed.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2018.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

Nichols_uncc_0694D_11901

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:1639