Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 5-1-2023

Department

Institute for Disability Studies

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the perceptions postsecondary education programs for students with intellectual disabilities have on the topic of service learning and volunteerism. The goal is to analyze college programs in the Southeast portion of the United States to determine if this topic is incorporated into their curriculum and analyze their perception of the topic. Twenty-six staff members from different postsecondary education programs completed a questionnaire that analyzed their program as a whole. The data indicates that the programs that incorporate service/volunteerism within their program prioritize service/volunteerism and state it has made a positive impact on students with intellectual disabilities within their program. Conversely, the programs that did not incorporate this topic within their curriculum expressed a neutral perception of the topic. Furthermore, participants from both populations prioritized service/volunteerism last among other topics such as employment, academics, socialization, and independent living. This study implies that college programs that incorporate service learning or volunteerism within their curriculum have positively affected their students with intellectual disabilities' personal, social, and professional lives compared to programs that do not incorporate these initiatives.

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