Abstract

PALMA, Oskarina et al. An qualitative study of the adaptation process and inclusion of a group of students with disabilities from higher education at Universidad de Magallanes. Magallania [online]. 2016, vol.44, n.2, pp.131-158. ISSN 0718-2244.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-22442016000200007.

According to the Science of Occupation and Occupational Justice, participation and inclusion within significative occupations is basic for the development of people and communities. However, this inclusion is not always favored in every public space. An important development took place within education, principally for primary levels forming the basis for potential projects like that of School Integration which offers a place for students with discapacities. These projects were not included at Superior Education, which is reason why students need to produce their own strategies to be included. The reason is that physical as well as social environments are not prepared to answer to the special necessities of students with different discapacities as a way of access to real and equitative education. The goal of this research is to obtain antecedents about the inclusion and adaptation processes of a group of young students with discapacities at the Universidad de Magallanes with the aim to contribute to these policies. For that reason a qualitative methodology was used using the experience of 15 students from different careers and different discapacities. Factors related with the social environment, like technical help, families and social connections appear as relevant; on the other hand the student’s personal characteristics, like their capacity for resilience is what allows them to overcome and answer with personal strategies to the existing challenges and barriers. For all these reasons, some necessities are evident, requiring a change in paradigm concerning the inclusion of these students in the educational field, by providing an effective balance through considering the special requirements for equity and promoting the equal treatment in which the dignity of the people with disabilities is ensured.

Keywords : disabilities; higher education; occupation justice; resiliency; inclusion.

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