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The importance of internationalization and effective online collaborative learning is well established, and the recognized value of cross-cultural exchanges by higher education institutions has resulted in a diverse range of initiatives including the use of virtual exchanges. Virtual exchanges are global online learning experiences for students enrolled in postsecondary coursework. The purpose of this study was to examine a virtual exchange learning opportunity for U.S. and Irish graduate education students. Using an online collaborative learning theoretical lens, this case study found that while there were varying levels of commitment and unequal expectations and contributions of the graduate students, students described the importance and significance of the unique learning experience. Implications for research and practice are discussed for future use of virtual exchange within the postsecondary environment.

Limited research explores postsecondary disability resource professionals' (DRPs) perceptions and experiences supporting students during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of a larger study utilizing national survey and interview data, this paper explores DRPs' experiences and observations related to student mental health during the pandemic-related lockdowns and subsequent transitions back to in-person campus settings. The findings of this study reveal DRPs are grappling with increasing student numbers, continuing need for expanded mental health accommodations and supports, and a persisting urgency to re-examine the role of the disability resource office (DRO) on campus related to student mental health. Implications and strategies for practice.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created significant disruption within the educational setting, including the rapid shift to a fully online learning environment. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how graduate students collaborated synchronously and reimagined an in-person academic service learning project into an asynchronous workshop format. Methodology/Approach: An explanatory single case study approach was used to explore how educational leadership doctoral students developed content for and transitioned the modality of an academic service learning project--a college readiness workshop for middle school students--during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings/Conclusions: Overall, the development of and transition to a fully online workshop website format highlighted the importance and additional need for technology to support project content, the challenge of how to best incorporate audience engagement through an asynchronous platform, and the shift in roles and expectations of the graduate students throughout the workshop development process. Implications: Although this learning experience was adapted due to pandemic-related restrictions, this reimagined student-led project provided additional and unique opportunities for collaboration and technology integration that can be useful and applicable to the students' post-lockdown lives.

The purpose of this paper was to explore the experiences of adult learners enrolled in a non-traditional undergraduate academic program. This project examined if students minimised their disability in the academic environment, thus not making use of institutionally available accommodations. Through an explanatory case study design, findings revealed that students perceived stigmatisation of their disability and often attempted to ignore or diminish the role and impact of their disability in their postsecondary academic journey.

The requisite knowledge and skills of principals are in a constant state of flux. Principal preparation programs need to proactively create systems and structures for continuous improvement and create pathways for information-sharing in order to remain responsive to the needs of local districts. James Coviello, Joan I. Birringer-Haig, and Katherine C. Aquino share how their university has created structures for continual improvement that principal preparation programs can use to in ensure leaders are prepared to face the dynamic tempo of change.

The body of research in the field of postsecondary education and disability is wide ranging and continues to evolve. Specifically, the literature corpus includes contributions from a range of professions and a considerable number of journals. This breadth of diversity in perspective presents significant advantages; however, it also presents challenges such as how study data are collected and communicated. The article authors represent a range of study disciplines, possess an array of methodological experience, and are affiliated with numerous professional organizations. We present a series of research guidelines for studies focused on postsecondary education and disability, particularly related to describing the sample members and study locations in a clear, consistent manner. The most common currently employed research methodologies are summarized, and suggestions proffered with regard to key study elements to report. The guidelines are not intended to be proscriptive or restrictive, but instead highlight the importance of methodological consistency as the field collectively promotes improved adult outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted all components of higher education, with current inequities within the campus setting exacerbated, creating larger disparities between individuals with and without readily available access to needed resources. Utilizing data collected from a national survey, this article highlights the perceptions and experiences of disability resource professionals (DRPs) employed at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) on how students with disabilities fared during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as potential recommendations for supporting students with disabilities at MSIs for the future. The experiences of DRPs working at MSIs during the COVID-19 pandemic reveal challenges for students with disabilities that may complicate or significantly impact their academic experience within the MSI setting.

Use of the self-identification process and accommodation services can, in theory, positively contribute to student success; however, students with disabilities may be negatively impacted if they perceive others viewing them as less significant members of the college community. This study identifies the number of students with self-identified disabilities within higher education and the change in self-identification cases over the course of postsecondary enrollment. Utilizing data from the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study, findings indicate that, 59% of students who self-identified during the first year of postsecondary education, unidentified by the first follow-up and, of those who identified as having a disability at the first follow-up, only 38% also self-identified during the base-year.

This study investigates the prevalence of postsecondary student-college match for students enrolled in special education services at the secondary education level by using data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002. This study examines alternative student-college match scenarios -- including undermatch, match, and overmatch -- and addresses the gap in research specific to college match and students in special education. Findings indicate that students who enrolled in special education services in high school undermatched to schools they had the potential of enrolling in. Moreover, undermatching for this student group increased if students were Black, Hispanic, or of low socioeconomic status.

Research notes that stigmatisation still exists within higher education for individuals identifying as having a disability. Institutional members, including administrators, may indicate an overall positive perception of students with disabilities; however, this perception may not translate to consistent inclusion of this student group in the student diversity landscape. Limited research exists on if and how postsecondary administrators include disability within their overall definition of postsecondary student diversity. This qualitative study explores administrators' interpretation of student diversity and the inclusion of disability within this definition. Findings indicate that administrators do not regularly include disability as a component of student diversity. This brief report presents implications and recommendations for postsecondary stakeholders to incorporate the concept of disability within student diversity programming.

Emerging research has found that the COVID-19 pandemic's rapid shift to remote education created a greater need to utilize disability resource offices within the postsecondary environment. Currently, no research has disaggregated disability resource office experiences by institutional level or explored how two-year disability resource offices have engaged in disability and accessibility strategies during the pandemic. This paper compared the experiences of disability resource office professionals at two-year and four-year disability resource offices as they attempted to collaborate on disability-related initiatives within their campus environment during the first nine months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for two-year disability resource offices are discussed.

Limited research explores the experiences of disability resource professionals who support students with disabilities in accessing experiential learning outside the classroom environment. This study used an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach to investigate whether and how accommodations are provided to and used by students with disabilities (SWDs) during experiential learning outside the classroom. Findings suggest that many higher education institutions focus on the classroom needs of SWDs to the exclusion of other, equally critical academic needs. Themes identified in both a national survey and qualitative interviews highlight the need to provide additional support for SWDs outside the classroom.

The numerous stressors and strains of the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to growing numbers of college students experiencing disabilities and needing support. This practice brief explores the challenges faced by disability resource professionals (DRPs) during the pandemic in reaching and supporting students potentially needing accommodations, but who had not formally disclosed a disability with the disability resource office (DRO). Findings highlight the challenges and areas for improvement to better engage students considered within the "pre-disclosure" status--students potentially needing accommodations and disability-based support who have yet to formally disclose to their institution's DRO. Study participants echoed previous findings that there are more students experiencing a disability who have yet to disclose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

College students with disabilities (SWDs) have reported extensive barriers accessing higher education during the pandemic. Less is known about the challenges and obstacles encountered by the campus professionals working to provide services and supports to SWDs during this time of pandemic induced upheaval. The purpose of this study was to explore the observations and experiences of disability resource professionals (DRPs) in their work to support SWDs and ensure campus access during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a national survey of 631 DRPs to better understand the barriers and supports they have encountered. Findings indicated that while remote student services are generally working effectively, DRPs are strained to respond to growing student numbers and additional accommodation requests. Critical administrative and institutional support for accessibility work varied by institutional size. The implications for DRPs and the campus community are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disability is often viewed as an obstacle to postsecondary inclusion, but not a characteristic of student diversity. Additionally, current theoretical frameworks isolate disability from other student diversity characteristics. In response, a new conceptual framework, the Disability-Diversity (Dis)Connect Model (DDDM), was created to address disability as a multifaceted aspect of student diversity.

For blended and fully online learning environments, the appropriate device usage and application, as well as students' perceived comfort with technology, may influence their success within the e-Learning setting. Additionally, institutional awareness of student technology needs--including student support needs as they relate to accessible technology--is essential to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment. Despite the growing number of students requiring accommodations for academic success, such as accessible technology within the coursework, there is limited research exploring technology use and student perceptions of accessible technology needs for post-traditional learners enrolled in the e-Learning course environment. Surveying post-traditional students enrolled in blended and online coursework, this study investigated device usage and perceptions of technology use, accessibility, and support within e-Learning-based learning environments.

This study is an examination of the relationship between participation in precollege outreach programs and students' college access patterns (i.e., enrollment patterns and timing in postsecondary institutions), comparing different racial/ ethnic groups. The study included a series of logistic regression models to investigate relationships between participation in precollege outreach programs (GEAR UP, Talent Search, and Upward Bound) during secondary education (i.e., 9th through 12th grades) and college attendance for minority participants. The Education Longitudinal Study dataset (ELS:2002) was used, and the sample (N = 8,938) included precollege program participants (5% of the total sample) and nonparticipants (the reference group) who had finished their high school education and either enrolled in a postsecondary institution or joined the workforce. Results indicate a relationship between participation in precollege outreach programs, especially Talent Search, and college attendance patterns. The discussion addresses the role precollege programs play in the academic lives of historically underrepresented students and the potential that precollege programs have in narrowing the current racial/ethnic college-going gap.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created significant disruption within the educational setting, including the rapid shift to a fully online learning environment. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how graduate students collaborated synchronously and reimagined an in-person academic service learning project into an asynchronous workshop format. Methodology/Approach: An explanatory single case study approach was used to explore how educational leadership doctoral students developed content for and transitioned the modality of an academic service learning project—a college readiness workshop for middle school students—during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings/Conclusions: Overall, the development of and transition to a fully online workshop website format highlighted the importance and additional need for technology to support project content, the challenge of how to best incorporate audience engagement through an asynchronous platform, and the shift in roles and expectations of the graduate students throughout the workshop development process. Implications: Although this learning experience was adapted due to pandemic-related restrictions, this reimagined student-led project provided additional and unique opportunities for collaboration and technology integration that can be useful and applicable to the students' post-lockdown lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of internationalization and effective online collaborative learning is well established, and the recognized value of cross-cultural exchanges by higher education institutions has resulted in a diverse range of initiatives including the use of virtual exchanges. Virtual exchanges are global online learning experiences for students enrolled in postsecondary coursework. The purpose of this study was to examine a virtual exchange learning opportunity for U.S. and Irish graduate education students. Using an online collaborative learning theoretical lens, this case study found that while there were varying levels of commitment and unequal expectations and contributions of the graduate students, students described the importance and significance of the unique learning experience. Implications for research and practice are discussed for future use of virtual exchange within the postsecondary environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to explore the experiences of adult learners enrolled in a non-traditional undergraduate academic program. This project examined if students minimised their disability in the academic environment, thus not making use of institutionallyavailable accommodations. Through an explanatory case study design,findings revealed that students perceived stigmatisation of their disability and often attempted to ignore or diminish the role and impact of their disability in their postsecondary academic journey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research notes that stigmatisation still exists within higher education for individuals identifying as having a disability. Institutional members, including administrators, may indicate an overall positive perception of students with disabilities; however, this perception may not translate to consistent inclusion of this student group in the student diversity landscape. Limited research exists on if and how postsecondary administrators include disability within their overall definition of postsecondary student diversity. This qualitative study explores administrators' interpretation of student diversity and the inclusion of disability within this definition. Findings indicate that administrators do not regularly include disability as a component of student diversity. This brief report presents implications and recommendations for postsecondary stakeholders to incorporate the concept of disability within student diversity programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited research explores postsecondary disability resource professionals' (DRPs) perceptions and experiences supporting students during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of a larger study utilizing national survey and interview data, this paper explores DRPs' experiences and observations related to student mental health during the pandemic-related lockdowns and subsequent transitions back to in-person campus settings. The findings of this study reveal DRPs are grappling with increasing student numbers, continuing need for expanded mental health accommodations and supports, and a persisting urgency to re-examine the role of the disability resource office (DRO) on campus related to student mental health. Implications and strategies for practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vocational rehabilitation (VR) services are typically provided through an in-per- son, client focused setting. The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in a rapid change to mostly remote services, affecting many professionals and their clients. The purpose of the current study was to gather perspectives and experiences of public sector vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRCs), regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their work and services for VR clients with disabilities. Participants (N=399) completed an electronic survey on their experiences transitioning to remote operations and barriers their clients experienced during the pandemic. Results showed that participants experienced issues related to communication with VR clients. Additionally, participants perceived that their clients experienced difficulty in accessing technology needed to engage in the VR process. Practice recommendations and future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The body of research in the field of postsecondary education and disability is wide ranging and continues to evolve. Specifically, the literature corpus includes contributions from a range of professions and a considerable number of journals. This breadth of diversity in perspective presents significant advantages; however, it also presents challenges such as how study data are collected and communicated. The article authors represent a range of study disciplines, possess an array of methodological experience, and are affiliated with numerous professional organizations. We present a series of research guidelines for studies focused on postsecondary education and disability, particularly related to describing the sample members and study locations in a clear, consistent manner. The most common currently employed research methodologies are summarized, and suggestions proffered with regard to key study elements to report. The guidelines are not intended to be proscriptive or restrictive, but instead highlight the importance of methodological consistency as the field collectively promotes improved adult outcomes for individuals with disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the prevalence of postsecondary student-college match for students enrolled in special education services at the secondary education level by using data from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002. This study examines alternative student-college match scenarios - including undermatch, match, and overmatch - and addresses the gap in research specific to college match and students in special education. Findings indicate that students who enrolled in special education services in high school undermatched to schools they had the potential of enrolling in. Moreover, undermatching for this student group increased if students were Black, Hispanic, or of low socioeconomic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of the self-identification process and accommodation services can, in theory, positively contribute to student success; however, students with disabilities may be negatively impacted if they perceive others viewing them as less significant members of the college community. This study identifies the number of students with self-identified disabilities within higher education and the change in self-identification cases over the course of postsecondary enrollment. Utilizing data from the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study, findings indicate that, 59% of students who self-identified during the first year of postsecondary education, unidentified by the first follow-up and, of those who identified as having a disability at the first follow-up, only 38% also self-identified during the base-year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disability is often viewed as an obstacle to postsecondary inclusion, but not a characteristic of student diversity. Additionally, current theoretical frameworks isolate disability from other student diversity characteristics. In response, a new conceptual framework, the Disability-Diversity (Dis)Connect Model (DDDM), was created to address disability as a multifaceted aspect of student diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]