Disabled Students at the Palestinian Universities: Birzeit University as a Model
Abstract Universities vary in the logistic support they provide for the disabled students. At the same time, universities can be a model for the bigger society in the way they undertake and involve this category. In this study, we tried to explore how do students of disabilities perceive their university life at Birzeit University. This will definitely reflect their relationship to their wider society. We also tried to identify the various challenges face the disabled students during their university life. Participants own narratives were used to collect data in focused groups. Data from interviews was transcribed and analyzed following the qualitative approach of content analysis. Results indicated that the disabled students at Birzeit University are trying to live as independent students. They believe that their daily experiences are very similar to other students’ experiences at the university. This perception helps them to construct a positive sense of self, which, in turn, encourage them to overcome the social burdens upon them. In conclusion, the interviewees believed that their disabilities are not what identify them as students. Regarding their relationship to the society, the disabled students struggle to change the stereotype that the society stigmatizes them with as incapable and helpless. The results indicated also that the disabled students are distinguished by having the ‘desire ‘which is their main motif to achieve their dreams and to challenge the existing stereotyping about them. They do not give up; they have a strong will and determination to achieve their goals. The study recommended increasing the financial and learning support for disabled students and raising the awareness about their potentials among Birzeit University students.
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Alhabit, A. (2015). Problems of integrating students with visual disabilities at the university level and their connection to some variables. Journal of Special Education and Rehabilitation, 2(6), 139-167.
Alhadidi, M. (2003). Introduction into visual impairment (1st Ed.). Dar Alfikr.
Aljarah, A. A., & Alotoum, A. (2017). The effect of the visual impairment and other demographic variables on self- perception for a sample of visually impaired: A comparative study. Journal of the educational and psychological issues, 5(1), 39-55.
Alssayid, A. (2010). Psychology of disabilities: physical, hearing, visual and mental. Modern University.
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Birzeit University. (2015). Students with special needs find place at Birzeit University, along with more plans for integration. https://bit.ly/2TVmqYW
Hartly, S., & Muhit, M. (2003). Using qualitative research methods for disability research in majority world counties. Asia Pacific Disability Rehabilitation Journal, 14(2).
Ibrahim, M. S. (2011). Challenges of disabled students at the Jordan universities (Master’s thesis, Jordan University, Amman, Jordan).
Khodja, K. (2006). Challenges that face visually impaired female students in the Saudi universities. Faculty of Education Journal, 16(66), 131-148.
Oliver, M. (2013). The social model of disability: thirty years on Disability and Society, 28(7), 1024-1026. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2013.818773
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS). (2019). Report nr 31. http://www.pcbs.gov.ps.
Price, M. (2011). Mad at school: Rhetorics of mental disability and academic life. University of Michigan Press. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.1612837
Qure’a, A. (2004). Decision number (40) of the Palestinian Legislative Council of year 2004, with executive procedures of law 1999 regarding the rights of disabled. https://bit.ly/3gRgNE0
Siebers, T. (2008). Disability theory. University of Michigan Press. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.309723
Snounu, Y., Smith, P., & Bishop, J. (2019). Disability, the Politics of Maiming, and Higher Education in Palestine, in Disabilities studies quarterly, 39(2).
Suhail, T., & Awad, H. (2005). The role of learning support aids on the learning of visually disabled students at Al-Quds Open University. Palestinian research and studies, 23, 340-378.
Alhadidi, M. (2003). Introduction into visual impairment (1st Ed.). Dar Alfikr.
Aljarah, A. A., & Alotoum, A. (2017). The effect of the visual impairment and other demographic variables on self- perception for a sample of visually impaired: A comparative study. Journal of the educational and psychological issues, 5(1), 39-55.
Alssayid, A. (2010). Psychology of disabilities: physical, hearing, visual and mental. Modern University.
Alwehidi, L. (2012). Birth destiny and its relation to the dimensions of self identity of in a sample of sighted and visually disabled adolescents in Gaza Governorates (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). AlAzharuniversity, Gaza Palestine.
Arafat, Y. (1999). Law No. (4) For the year 1999: On the rights of the disabled. https://bit.ly/3qm8JOK
Birzeit University. (2011). BZU Centre for Development SBZU for development Studies announces results of disabled persons studies- News. https://bit.ly/3d8iQS8
Birzeit University. (2015). Students with special needs find place at Birzeit University, along with more plans for integration. https://bit.ly/2TVmqYW
Hartly, S., & Muhit, M. (2003). Using qualitative research methods for disability research in majority world counties. Asia Pacific Disability Rehabilitation Journal, 14(2).
Ibrahim, M. S. (2011). Challenges of disabled students at the Jordan universities (Master’s thesis, Jordan University, Amman, Jordan).
Khodja, K. (2006). Challenges that face visually impaired female students in the Saudi universities. Faculty of Education Journal, 16(66), 131-148.
Oliver, M. (2013). The social model of disability: thirty years on Disability and Society, 28(7), 1024-1026. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2013.818773
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS). (2019). Report nr 31. http://www.pcbs.gov.ps.
Price, M. (2011). Mad at school: Rhetorics of mental disability and academic life. University of Michigan Press. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.1612837
Qure’a, A. (2004). Decision number (40) of the Palestinian Legislative Council of year 2004, with executive procedures of law 1999 regarding the rights of disabled. https://bit.ly/3gRgNE0
Siebers, T. (2008). Disability theory. University of Michigan Press. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.309723
Snounu, Y., Smith, P., & Bishop, J. (2019). Disability, the Politics of Maiming, and Higher Education in Palestine, in Disabilities studies quarterly, 39(2).
Suhail, T., & Awad, H. (2005). The role of learning support aids on the learning of visually disabled students at Al-Quds Open University. Palestinian research and studies, 23, 340-378.
Ramahi, R. J., Fteiha, A., & Khalili, O. (2021). Disabled Students at the Palestinian Universities: Birzeit University as a Model. Education in The Knowledge Society, 22, e23935. https://doi.org/10.14201/eks.23935
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