May 2025 – Present

Study Title: Accommodation Experiences of Disabled Social Work Students in Canada

Funding: Memorial University Vice-President Research Startup Support; Mitacs Globalink Research Internship program

About the Study:

This national research project explores the experiences of disabled social work students and students with disabilities in Canadian post-secondary programs. We are interested in understanding how students navigate academic and field placement accommodations, access support, and experience inclusion and belonging within social work education. Beyond formal accommodations, the study examines how relationships with faculty, accessibility services, and field education staff can shape students’ experiences, including decisions about disability disclosure and accessing support.

The goal is to identify barriers and promising practices and develop recommendations for creating more accessible, disability-affirming learning environments in social work education across Canada.

Phase 1: National Survey

The first phase involved a national online survey completed by 154 disabled social work students enrolled in BSW, MSW, and doctoral programs, as well as a social work diploma program, across Canada. The survey explored students’ experiences accessing accommodations, navigating disability disclosure, and interacting with faculty, accessibility services, and field education staff. It also examined perceptions of institutional support, accessibility, and belonging within social work education.

Phase 2: Focus Groups

Building on the survey, the second phase involved focus groups with 18 social work students, including seven BSW and eleven MSW students. The focus groups provided opportunities for students to share their experiences in greater depth, including barriers to accessing accommodations, relationships with faculty and peers, experiences of ableism, and what disability-affirming social work education could look like.

Project Progress: Data collection for both phases is complete, and the research team is analyzing findings from the survey and focus groups.

Research Assistants:

  • Karen Rodriguez, Mitacs Intern, Student of Modern Languages, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia
  • Mariela Carolina Calderón Muñoz, Educational Management and Curriculum Administration, Universidad Tecnológica El Retoño

Contact:

This study has been reviewed and approved by the Interdisciplinary Committee on Ethics in Human Research (ICEHR) at Memorial University (Certificate #: 20251772-SW). For more information, please contact Dr. Ami Goulden, Principal Investigator (agoulden@mun.ca).