Inclusion at a university: experiences of a young woman with Down syndrome.
For young adults with developmental disabilities, postsecondary experiences on a university campus with same-age peers can provide opportunities for learning and social integration. Through the collaborative support of university instructors, a preservice teacher, and her mother, a young woman with Down syndrome was successfully included in a speech communications course at a 4-year, private university. Our purpose here was to explore the impact of this experience on the student, her classmates, and preservice teacher who offered peer support. The experience provided opportunities for interaction with age-appropriate peers and was a positive learning experience for all participants. Challenges emerged related to assessment, expectations, and building relationships. Implications for potential inclusive transition opportunities at the university were discussed.
Casale-Giannola
Diane
D
Department of Teacher Education, Rider University, 2083 Lawrenceville Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648-3001, USA. dgiannola@rider.edu
Kamens
Michele Wilson
MW
D000328:Adult; D004314:Down Syndrome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007858:Learning; D010379:Peer Group; D014495:Universities