ACEN Conference 2024

Description

Improving Future Work-Integrated Learning Opportunities for Students with Disabilities

The number of students with disabilities participating in higher education contrasts with their lower success rates in the graduate job market (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024; Department of Education, 2024a, 2024b; Donelly et al., 2020). The survey was disseminated to all students registered with their respective disability support services at Monash University and Western Sydney University. Subsequent qualitative questions were co-designed with two individuals with lived experience. The survey used branching logic, where the questions differed depending on whether the student had completed Work Integrated Learning (WIL). The current paper focuses on the survey data gathered from 61 participants who had not completed WIL. We asked how they expected WIL to benefit them, what would make them feel included and suggestions to improve access. Benefits included demystifying future careers, practical application of theory and professional networking. Barriers included inaccessible environments, fear of discrimination, balancing commitments and social and communication difficulties. Students asked for empathy, tailored support, and advertisement of inclusive disability adjustments and training, echoed in the existing literature (Ashworth et al., 2024; Boye, 2024; Dollinger et al., 2023; Remington & Pellicano, 2019). The findings suggest that universities and employers are either still failing to make systematic changes to improve inclusion or that these changes are going unnoticed by students with disability. Recommendations include comprehensive policy reforms, enhanced support systems, training and awareness programs for stakeholders, the integration of assistive technologies and flexible work arrangements.

Period	21 Oct 2024
Event type	Conference
Location	Sydney, AustraliaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International