Date Approved
4-22-2025
Graduate Degree Type
Project
Degree Name
Education (M.Ed.)
Degree Program
College of Education
First Advisor
Dr. Laila McCloud
Academic Year
2024/2025
Abstract
In the United States, the number of individuals with disabilities who pursue a college degree has increased. According to Wagner et al. (2018), 26% of people with disabilities pursued postsecondary education, whether at a two-year (20%) or four-year program (6%). Retention of students with disabilities, however, remains an issue. 41% of all college students with disabilities left school before graduation compared to 33% of their typically abled peers. Disabled students are also more likely to struggle with loneliness and isolation on campus due to a lack of sense of belonging. Having a strong campus community leads to better retention and graduation rates. Creating a space where disabled students can have community with one another is imperative and is shown to improve loneliness, isolation, and other negative symptoms. This project outlines the creation of Disabled Students Supporting Each Other (DSSE), a support group for disabled students on Grand Valley State University’s campus. DSSE will provide disabled student a place to connect with one another, a place where they are in control of their own narratives and get to tell their own story.
ScholarWorks Citation
VanHaitsma, Grace E., "Disarming the Deficit: Creating a Positive Disabled Community on Campus" (2025). Culminating Experience Projects. 577.
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/gradprojects/577
