Barriers to the successful pursuit of higher education include social factors, such as public attitudes and media stereotypes, as well as physical and organizational support, such as interpreters, Braille materials, and case management services. Employment rates for people with disabilities demonstrate a stronger positive correlation between level of education and rate of employment than we see in trends for the general population. Despite improvements, the educational attainments of students with disabilities remain low in comparison to the general population. There is a continuing need for assistance with respect to the ADA in post-secondary education programs. Other social and cultural factors continue to play a major role in discouraging students with disabilities from pursuing higher education.
Media stereotypes tend to depict people with disabilities as victims employed in low- skilled jobs.
All these factors, in combination with low expectations from teachers, counselors, and sometimes parents, create powerful psychological obstacles to the pursuit of higher education. Even when students overcome barriers to enrollment, many experience difficulty in completing their studies. Failure to provide appropriate supports may contribute to disheartening grade point averages, hastening withdrawal from postsecondary settings. Students with disabilities who complete a certificate or degree take considerably longer to finish than nondisabled students. Responding to the Need Given the increasing need for persons with disabilities to be able to succeed in postsecondary education programs, it is imperative that we understand present and future needs, and emerging strategies and technologies to enhance access, participation, and performance for people with disabilities.