This study co-investigated with students with hidden disabilities the
phenomenon of disability identity. This qualitative study utilized phenomenology
and strategies proposed by Paulo Freire in an effort to understand identity
development specific to individuals with hidden disabilities. There were seven
students from a medium-sized, public university who participated in the study.
The participants shared their experiences with having a hidden disability in
three one-hour individual conversations and three two-hour group conversations.
The conversations were tape recorded and transcribed. The concepts and themes
that appeared to emerge from the initial conversation guided subsequent
conversations. Findings revealed that the use of traditional identity development
literature was not useful to understanding students with hidden disabilities.
Relying on social constructivist concepts findings revealed the following themes:
1) Identity Confusion they tended to be neither able-bodied nor disabled; 2)
Identity Refinement they depended on perceptions of the other to varying
degrees; and 3) Identity Reconciliation they were using accommodations to
varying degrees.
A potential area for action and further study revolves around students with
hidden disabilities, disability services practitioners, faculty and college student
services administrators understanding the issues of normalcy and American
individualism and their influence on both individuals with and without disabilities.
Furthermore, fostering the development of a support system where students with
hidden disabilities can interact with each other and discuss disability-related issues
may help them cope with a fundamentally hostile collegiate environment. The
institution may need to educate students, staff and faculty about the social
construction of disability and the need to create a learning environment inclusive of
diverse learners. / Graduation date: 2003
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/34302 |
| Date | 19 September 2002 |
| Creators | Bentley-Townlin, Tracy |
| Contributors | Suzuki, Warren N. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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