Enabling Learning and Supporting Diverse Student Groups: Developing and Evaluating A Learning Series on Access in Health and Human Service Programs for Students with Disabilities

TitleEnabling Learning and Supporting Diverse Student Groups: Developing and Evaluating A Learning Series on Access in Health and Human Service Programs for Students with Disabilities
Faculty/College/UnitMedicine
StatusCompleted
Duration1 Year
Initiation04/01/2017
Completion08/31/2018
Project Summary

Universities speak to supporting accessibility and diversity on their campuses, yet students with disabilities report barriers that limit their participation in education. Students in the Health and Human Service (HHS) professions have identified significant challenges including rigid structures and fears of disclosing disabilities in programs that emphasize demonstrating competencies in both academic and clinical settings. In a past TLEF project, students identified the need for training and support to address these barriers. This project will develop blended-learning training modules for students in HHS programs. The modules—which align with UBC Flexible Learning pillars—will focus on areas previously identified by students as challenging. These modules will create a flexible and supportive learning environment that fosters inclusion and combats stigma while addressing students’ varying levels of disclosure. After a two-month pilot and an eight- month trial, we will assess changes in students’ knowledge, attitudes, skills, participation, and social support structures.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2017/2018
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorTal Jarus
Year 1: Funded Amount44,499
Year 1: Team Members

Tal Jarus, Professor, Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine
Earllene Roberts, PhD Candidate, School of Social Work, Okanagan Campus
Sue Murphy, Senior Instructor, Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine
Michael Lee, Senior Instructor, Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine
Ruth Warick, Senior Diversity Advisor, Access and Diversity
Jennifer Gagnon, PhD, Research Coordinator, Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine
Gurdeep Parhar, Executive Associate Dean, Clinical Partnerships and Professionalism, Faculty of Medicine
Margot Bell, Accessibility Advisor, Access and Diversity
Bathseba Opini, Lecturer, Educational Studies, Faculty of Education
Jennifer Baumbusch, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Science
Timothy Stainton, Professor, School of Social Work, Faculty of Applied Science

Student Collaborators:

Laura Bulk, PhD Student
Kay Chan, Graduate Student
Parisa Ghanouni, PhD Candidate
Brian Hahn, Undergraduate Student
Mara Salter, Graduate Student
Julia Tikhonova, Undergraduate Student

Project Report2017-TLEF-SP-Final-Jarus-WEB.pdf