share your intellectual passions - Hobart and William Smith Colleges

INCLUSION ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS: "WE'RE STILL HERE"Amanda SternMy Master of Arts in Teaching thesis reports on a program for adults with developmentaldisabilities that provides students with the opportunity to get a college campus experience. Onegoal is for these adults to interact with college students and develop friendships. This studyaddressed three broad questions. First, what does inclusion look like on this campus? Second,how do college students and ABS students view the program? And finally, how are theyimpacted by the program?This qualitative research study involved open-ended interviews with nine participants, includingthree college students who are aware of the program, three that are not, and three students withdevelopmental disabilities that are currently enrolled in the program. The interviews sought tounderstand views of people with and without disabilities about the program itself and inclusionon a college campus.Data analysis demonstrated that exposure to people with disabilities impacts overall comfort withdisability and the language that a person uses surrounding issues of disability. Comments weremade by the subjects that suggest there is work to be done to increase the presence and inclusionof people with developmental disabilities on a college campus. These comments will help todevelop implications for the future and push toward a more inclusive college community.60