Engagement & Belonging for Students with Disabilities
In partnership with Accessibility Services, the Innovation Hub’s design research team sought to understand factors that enable students with disabilities to fully engage in campus life outside of the classroom and to learn where gaps exist. The goal of the project was to gain a meaningful understanding of student perspectives and tangible ideas of steps to take to better champion access and inclusion so that students with disabilities can fully engage with events, activities, programming, social activities, and other aspects of campus life.
Fall/Winter 2024-2025
What factors help students with disabilities feel a sense of belonging and inclusion?
We found that disability adds a unique facet to exploring one’s identity, and students are often still discovering what their disability means. Our data revealed that students ask themselves questions like: Can I be fully myself here? Will I be welcomed as I am? These questions create layers of complexity as students explore what it means to belong in the university, to feel included, and to fully engage with others. When students felt that disability was prioritized, signals of belonging were generated, and students felt their disability was proactively considered.
STUDENT-DRIVEN RESEARCH
At the Innovation Hub, all of our research is driven by teams of passionate students. Learn more about the Engagement & Belonging for Students with Disabilities team below.