A Journey of Opportunity--Students with Intellectual Disability Going to College

• Main Authors: Hsieh, Chia-Nan, 謝佳男
• Other Authors: Lin, Hsin-Tai
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/z59q3d

博士 === 國立臺灣師範大學 === 特殊教育學系 === 105 === In recent years, more than 1000 students with intellectual disability pursue postsecondary education in Taiwan. However, researches about their experiences in college are rare in local literature. The purposes of this study were to explore the process of how they decided to go to college, what experiences they had in college, and using the concepts of functionings and capabilities developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum, what capabilities and functionings were expanded or contracted by the college. Ten participants with intellectual disability were recruited in this study. They were either college students at present or had graduated from college. Data were collected from students through in-depth interview, with relevant documents and observation in their college as supplementary resources for analysis. The main findings of the study were discussed in three parts. First, ten stories about college experiences of individual participant were presented with context analyses. Second, the process of their decision and its outcome on going to college was introduced. Mother was obviously the most influential person affecting the decision. While in college, half of them majored in the food and beverage management department. They engaged in many aspects of college life at different levels. They mentioned obstacles confronted and the process of asking for support. Most of them were satisfied with college experience and developed abilities that improved their critical skills academically and socially. Finally, ten dimensions of capabilities are identified and within each of these dimensions a number of valued functionings have been distilled. The capability list included knowledge, recognition and respect, autonomy, economic experience, active participation, confidence and empowerment, healthy in body and mind, emotion, and recreation. In conclusion, the fresh perspective of the capability approach to the empirical study of students with intellectual disability revealed the impact that college experiences have on their lives, especially the expanded capabilities for freedom, power and opportunities that matter to them in their development. Given the findings and analysis of this study, several limitations are acknowledged. Suggestions to educators, parents, and students with intellectual disability are provided, as well as recommendations for further studies. Key words: intellectual disability, college, capability approach