Creating Inclusive Campuses: The Impact of Disability Student Advocacy Clubs

Main Article Content

Amanda Patrick
Megan Theobald
Dr. Kiriko Takahashi

Keywords

STEM Inclusion, Advocacy Clubs, Student Well-Being, Transition, SWD

Abstract

Advocacy clubs play a significant role in promoting student retention through offering peer support, raising awareness, and advocating for more accessible campuses. This literature review presents research on the benefits of such clubs, including improved academic outcomes, higher graduation rates, and enhanced social integration for students with disabilities in STEM.


 

Abstract 1678 | WORD Downloads 145 PDF Downloads 164

References

Batty, L., & Reilly, K. (2023). Understanding barriers to participation within undergraduate STEM laboratories: Towards development of an inclusive curriculum. Journal of Biological Education, 57(5), 1147–1169. https://doi.org/10.1080/00219266.2021.2012227MDPI+4
Boutakidis, I., Espinoza, G., Sevier, M., & Sadek, A. (2024). The impact of a peer mentoring program on undergraduate graduation rates: A matched control group design. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/15210251241268852
Dunn, C., Rabren, K., Taylor, C., & Dotson, V. (2012). Assisting students with high-incidence disabilities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Intervention in School and Clinic, 48(1), 47–54. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053451212443151
Dunn, C., Rabren, K., Taylor, C., & Dotson, V. (2014). Transitioning and preparing learners with special needs into STEM careers. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297374885_Transitioning_and_preparing_learners_with_special_needs_into_STEM_careers
Gregg, N., Wolfe, G., Jones, S., Todd, R., & Moon, N. (2016). Virtual mentoring and persistence in STEM for students with disabilities. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 40(4), 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143416651717
Hernandez, P. R., Agocha, V. B., Carney, L. M., Estrada, M., Lee, S. Y., Loomis, D., Williams, M., & Park, C. L. (2020). Testing models of reciprocal relations between social influence and integration in STEM across the college years. PLOS ONE, 15(9), e0238250. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0238250
Hodges, J. S., & Jean, K. M. (1999). Perceived Influences on Social Integration by Students with Physical Disabilities. Journal of College Student Development, 40(6), 678–686. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ614291
Huber, K. A., DeBacker, T. K., Klammer, C. C., & Gonzalez, L. R. (2022). Correlates of peer classroom connectedness among undergraduate women in STEM. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 60(6). https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21833
Kaley, A., Donnelly, J. P., Donnelly, L., Humphrey, S., Reilly, S., & Macpherson, H. (2022). Researching belonging with people with learning disabilities. British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 50(3), 307–320. https://doi.org/10.1111/bld.12394
Kaufman, T., Ziegler, L., Subramaniam, A., Hahn, R., & Mastin, H. (2024, September 30). Autistic advocacy in higher education. https://www.canva.com/design/DAFv2tIyg7s/Hg-vllbXa-0OqmgOIjYZww/edit
Kreider, C. M., Medina, S., & Slamka, M. R. (2018). Beyond academics: A model for simultaneously advancing campus-based supports for learning disabilities, STEM students’ skills for self-regulation, and mentors’ knowledge for co-regulating and guiding. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 1466. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01466
Lee, A. (2010). A comparison of postsecondary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) enrollment for students with and without disabilities. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 34(2), 72–82. https://doi.org/10.1177/0885728810386591
Lenz, B. (2019). Opportunities in STEM! Opportunities tracker example [Spreadsheet]. Google Docs. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1yvP9qaNjX5O6rO6Of7aKv0o7HB63MNuo6aakLuCqR10/edit?usp=sharing
Locke, S., Rodrigues, J., & Mirielli, L. G. (2024). STEM role models for students with disabilities: A systematic review highlighting recommendations for the classroom and future research. School Science and Mathematics, 125(1), 48–61. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssm.12643
Magill, L., Jenkins, A., Carter, E., Greiner, S., Bell, L., & Lynne, K. (2013). Promoting self-determination among students with disabilities: A guide for Tennessee educators (pp. 1–14). Vanderbilt University, Tennessee Department of Education. https://vkc.vumc.org/assets/files/resources/psiSelfdetermination.pdf
Moon, N. W., Todd, R. L., Morton, D. L., & Ivey, E. (2012). Accommodating students with disabilities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM): Findings from research and practice for middle grades through university education (pp. 167–168). Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access. https://hourofcode.com/files/accommodating-students-with-disabilities.pdf
NSF INCLUDES Alliance. (2022). TAPDINTO-STEM mentoring model: Faculty mentor cluster manual. https://tapdintostem.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Program-Materials-Faculty-Mentor-Cluster-Manual_20220422_Final.pdf
Pfeifer, M. A., Reiter, E. M., Hendrickson, M., & Stanton, J. D. (2020). Speaking up: a model of self-advocacy for STEM undergraduates with ADHD and/or specific learning disabilities. International Journal of STEM Education, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-020-00233-4
Powers, L. E., Gil-Kashiwabara, E., Geenen, S. J., Powers, J., Balandran, J., & Palmer, S. (2014). Qualitative investigation of the influence of STEM mentors on youth with disabilities. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 38(1), 25–38. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143413518234
Schearer, E., Reinthal, A., & Jackson, D. (2022). Physically Disabled Students in Summer Undergraduate Research Environments. IEEE Transactions on Education, 65(2), 156–166. https://doi-org.ezproxy.librarieshawaii.org/10.1109/TE.2021.3101401
Shepler, D. K., & Woosley, S. A. (2012). Understanding the early integration experiences of college students with disabilities. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 25(1), 37–50.
Sowers, J.-A., Powers, L. E., Gil-Kashiwabara, E., Geenen, S., Palmer, S. B., & Swank, P. (2016). A randomized trial of a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics mentoring program. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 40(4), 196–204. https://doi.org/10.1177/2165143416633426
The Center on Disability Studies at UH Mānoa. (2024, November 13). Creating an advocacy club for students with disabilities at your institution. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hX4O0CoPj6WQ2lI8VUXFdQlmPLlICWHmsUzgw7_z2SU/edit?usp=drive_link
Thompson-Ebanks, V. (2014). Personal factors that influence the voluntary withdrawal of undergraduates with disabilities. Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability, 27(2), 195–207.
Thurston, L. P., Johnson, N., Ashburn-Nardo, L., Aguilar, C., & Zhi, Q. (2024). NSF Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES TAPDINTO-STEM Alliance: Year 4 annual evaluation report. NSF INCLUDES TAPDINTO-STEM Alliance.
Web, C. (2025). Student Advocacy. Center for Student Support and Care. https://supportandcare.nd.edu/for-students/current-students/education-and-outreach-resources/student-advocacy/

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.