Universal Design for Transition to Post-Secondary for Female Students with Intellectual Disabilities from the Perspective of Their Teachers

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Special Education Department, College of Education, King Faisal University, Alahssa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

2 Special Education Department, College of Education, King Saud University, Riyadh, kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the views of female teachers teaching students with intellectual disabilities on using Universal Design for Transition to post-secondary within intellectual education programs, identify the obstacles facing using the Universal Design for Transition and factors that may help to use it from participants perspective. To achieve the objective of the study, a qualitative (interpretive) research methodology was used, and data were collected by conducting seven semi-structured interviews with female teachers teaching students with intellectual disabilities in intellectual education programs in one of the governorates of the Eastern Province. Afterwards, data were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. The results of the study revealed that the participants support using the Universal Design for Transition as it is compatible with the current stage experienced by female students with intellectual disabilities, in addition to the fact that it is based on the principles of the Universal Design for learning and evidence-based transitional practices. Furthermore, the results highlighted that there are many obstacles can be encountered when using the Universal Design for Transition, including: school obstacles, administrative obstacles and social obstacles. At the end, the results of the study listed a number of factors that may help to use it, the most important of which were school factors, administrative factors and social factors.

Keywords

Main Subjects


 
AlabedalKarim, R. (2020). Qualitative Research in Education (2nd ed.). AlRushd Library.
Alatwi, R. (2020). Assessment of transitional services in the inclusion programs for intellectual education in the city of Tabuk according to the rater (parents - teachers). Journal of Special Education and Rehabilitation, 10(36), 49-79.
Aldosary, M. (2016). Factors for the successful transition of individuals with mild intellectual disabilities from school to work. Journal of Education Science, 1(3), 212-242.
Alfozan, S, and Alrawi, J. (2019). Transitional programs offered to female students with intellectual disabilities from the point of view of female teachers in the central region: a qualitative study. Specialized International Educational Journal, 8(6), 43-51.
Alhano, I. (2016). Using qualitative research methodology in special education: An Analysis of Ten Arabic Peer-reviewed Journals, 2005 – 2014. Journal of Special Education and Rehabilitation, 3(10), 179-214.
Almalky, H. (2020). Elements of transitional services in the individual educational program for students with intellectual disabilities. Issue 13. The Saudi Journal of Special Education, 115-140.
Alqurani, T. (2018). Transitional programs and services for students with disabilities in the light of international practices. Dar Alzahra.
Alqurani, S. (2020). Qualitative research strategies and data analysis. King Saud University House.
Alrousan, F. (2014). Research design in special education. Dar Alfkr.
Alsalem, M. (2016). Increasing teaching competency for teachers of students who are deaf and hard of hearing through the principles of universal design for learning. International specialized educational Journal, 5(4), 114-134.
Criswell, J. (2018). Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research design. (Translated by Abdul Mohsen Al-Qahtani). Dar Al-Masila for Publishing and Distribution. (Original work published in 2014).
Creswell, J, and Booth, S. (2019). Qualitative research design, in-depth study in five methods. (Translated by Ahmed Al-Thawabiya). House of thought. (Original work published in 2018).
Creswell, J, and Clark, V. (2019). Design and conduct scientific research using the blended approach. (Translated by Ayman Bagnaid and Thamer Ba Azim). Scientific Publishing Center at King Abdulaziz University. (original work published in 2011).
King Salman Center for Disability Research. (2018). Reference frame for the access of students with disabilities to the general curriculum. Arab Education Office for the Gulf States.
Ministry of Education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (2021). Statistics Department.
Vision of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2030. (2016). Retrieved on Wednesday / September / 2020 from the link: https://vision2030.gov.sa/download/file/fid/422
المراجع الإنجليزية:
Act, E. S. S. (2015). Every student succeeds act. Pub. L, 114-95.‏Retrieved from PUBL095.PS (congress.gov)
Almalki, S. (2021). Transition services for high school students with intellectual disability in Saudi Arabia: issues and recommendations. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 1-9.   https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2021.1911564
Alzahrani, M. (2018). The Importance of Teachers’ Universal Design for Transition Principles Knowledge in Preparing Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the Life after School in Saudi Arabia. Creative Education, 9(03), 513. https://doi.org/10.4236/ce.2018.93036     
Best, K., Scott, L. A., & Thoma, C. A. (2015). Starting with the end in mind: Inclusive education designed to prepare students for adult life. In E. Brown, R. G. Craven, & G. McLean (Eds.). International Advances in Education: Global Initiatives for Equity and Social Justice: 9, 45-72, Inclusive education for students with intellectual disabilities. Information Age Press.
Brantlinger, E., Jimenez, R., Klingner, J., Pugach, M., & Richardson, V. (2005). Qualitative studies in special education. Exceptional children, 71(2), 195-207.https://doi.org/10.1177/001440290507100205
Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2012) Thematic analysis. In H. Cooper, P. M. Camic, D. L. Long, A. T. Panter, D. Rindskopf, & K. J. Sher (Eds), APA handbook of research methods in psychology, Vol. 2: Research designs: Quantitative, qualitative, neuropsychological, and biological (pp. 57-71). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
CAST. (2018). UDL and the learning brain. Wakefield, MA: Author. Retrieved from http://www.cast.org/our-work/publications/2018/udl-learning-brain-neuroscience.html
Crowson, R., Wong, K., & Aypay, A. (2000). The quiet reform in American education: Policy issues and conceptual challenges in the school-to-work transition. Educational Policy, 14(2), 241-258.‏ https://doi.org/10.1177/0895904800014002003
Ellenkamp, J., Brouwers, E., Embregts, P., Joosen, M. and van Weeghel, J. (2016). Work environment-related factors in obtaining and maintaining work in a competitive employment setting for employees with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review. Journal of occupational rehabilitation, 26(1), 56-69.‏https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-015-9586-1
Grigal, M., Hart, D., & Migliore, A. (2011). Comparing the transition planning, postsecondary education, and employment outcomes of students with intellectual and other disabilities. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 34(1), 4-17.‏ https://doi.org/10.1177/0885728811399091
Houston, L. (2018). Efficient Strategies for Integrating Universal Design for Learning in the Online Classroom. Journal of Educators Online, 15(3).https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-007-9056-3
Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. (2004). 20 U.S.C. Pub. L No.108–446.
Lysaght, R., PetnerArrey, J., HowellMoneta, A., & Cobigo, V. (2017). Inclusion through work and productivity for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(5), 922-935.‏https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12284
McKenzie, M., Ouellette-Kuntz, H., Blinkhorn, A., and Demor, A. (2017).Out of School and Into Distress: Families of Young Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Transition. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30, 774–781. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12264
Merriam, S., & Tisdell, E. (2015). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Piotrowski, N., Houp, K., (2019). Intellectual disability. Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health.
Scott, L., Thoma, C., Puglia, L., Temple, P., D’Aguilar, A. (2017). Implementing a UDL framework: A study of current personnel preparation practices. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 55, 25–36. doi:10.1352/1934-9556-55.1.25
Scott, L., & Bruno, L. (2018). Universal Design for Transition: A Conceptual Framework for Blending Academics and Transition Instruction. The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship, 7(3), 1.
Scott, L., Bruno, L., Gokita, T., & Thoma, C. (2019). Teacher candidates’ abilities to develop universal design for learning and universal design for transition lesson plans. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2019.1651910
Scott, L., & Puglia, L. (2018). Special education teachers’ perceptions of linking academics with transition goals and the Universal Design for Transition framework. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 49(3), 287-298. DOI: 10.3233/JVR-180974
Scott, L., Saddler, S., Thoma, C., Bartholomew, C., Virginia, N., & Tamura, R. (2011). Universal Design for Transition: A Single Subject Research Study on the Impact of UDT on Student Achievement, Engagement and Interest. Journal on Educational Psychology, 4(4), 21-32.
Schalock, R., Luckasson, R., Tassé, M. (2021). Intellectual Disability: Definition, Classification, and Systems of Supports (12th Edition). American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
 
Test, D., & Shanley, J. (2017). Introduction to the special issue on combining transition skills and academic instruction. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 40(1), 3-4.‏
Thoma, C., Bartholomew, C., & Scott, L. (2009). Universal design for transition: A roadmap for planning and instruction. Paul H Brookes Publishing.‏
Thoma, C., Cain, I., & Walther-Thomas, C. (2015). National goals for the education of children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Honoring the past while moving forward. Inclusion, 3(4), 219-226.‏https://doi.org/10.1352/2326-6988-3.4.219
Thoma, C., Cain, I., Wojcik, A., Best, K., & Scott, L. (2016). Universal Design for Transition for Students on the Autism Spectrum. Autism Spectrum Disorders: Identification, Education, and Treatment, 285.
Wehmeyer, M. (2006). Universal design for learning, access to the general education curriculum and students with mild mental retardation. Exceptionality, 14(4), 225-235. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327035ex1404_4