The subjective experiences of students with invisible disabilities at a historically disadvantaged university

African Journal of Disability

 
 
Field Value
 
Title The subjective experiences of students with invisible disabilities at a historically disadvantaged university
 
Creator de Beer, Carushca Isaacs, Serena Lawrence, Cameron Cebekhulu, Gugulethu Morkel, Jade M. Nell, Jonathan Mpisane, Noluthando van Tonder, Wayne P. Mayman, Yolanda R. Thobenjane, Lobisa Z. Pedro, Athena
 
Subject Psychology; Invisible disabilities; students wellbeing invisible disability; higher education; awareness; support; policy; stigma; historically disadvantaged university; disability units
Description Background: Despite policies that promote inclusivity of students with various challenges, students with invisible disabilities at higher learning institutions may encounter various levels of stigma and marginalisation. This primarily stems from a lack of awareness about what invisible disabilities encompass, and very importantly, how they affect those who live with them.Objective: This study explored the subjective experiences of students with invisible disabilities at a historically disadvantaged university.Method: This study used a qualitative approach to facilitate the exploration of the subjective experiences of students with invisible disabilities. Twelve students with invisible disabilities were interviewed online via Google Meet platform, using semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a thematic analysis.Results: Three thematic domains were identified, invisibly disabled students’ subjective experiences within the context of (1) home and community, (2) university life and (3) support offered at their university.Conclusion: This study’s findings highlight the importance of awareness of invisible disabilities in higher education. Support for students with invisible disabilities, and breaking down the barriers to it, can compound better experiences in the lives of those who have invisible disabilities. Targeted awareness campaigns could contribute to more mindful learning and teaching practices and improve the overall experience of these students. This information can also be used to promote awareness of students with invisible disabilities in higher education institutions.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor University of the Western Cape - Disabilities Unit of the university
Date 2022-06-10
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — Qualitative research
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/ajod.v11i0.932
 
Source African Journal of Disability; Vol 11 (2022); 10 pages 2226-7220 2223-9170
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/932/1832 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/932/1833 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/932/1834 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/932/1835
 
Coverage South Africa; Western Cape; Cape Town February 2020 to November 2020 Students of the University of the Western Cape living with an invisible disability
Rights Copyright (c) 2022 Carushca de Beer, Serena Isaacs, Cameron Lawrence, Gugulethu Cebekhulu, Jade M. Morkel, Jonathan Nell, Noluthando Mpisane, Wayne P. van Tonder, Yolanda R. Mayman, Lobisa Z. Thobejane, Athena Pedro https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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