You are here : University of Gloucestershire > Research > Research Repository

The role of support workers in the learning of disabled students in higher education

Tools

Roberts, Hazel ORCID: 0000-0001-5950-077X (2010) The role of support workers in the learning of disabled students in higher education. PhD thesis, University of Gloucestershire.

Full text not available from this repository.

Official URL: https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/10971/

Abstract

This thesis applies social model of disability, feminist and Foucauldian perspectives to the support worker role in one UK Higher Education Institution (HEI). The research focuses on the notetaker, a specific type of support worker, and how the practice of notetaking affects the learning of disabled students. It also considers how the provision of support for disabled students and notetakers is administered through the disability support department of the HEI. Previous research into the role of the support worker in Higher Education has been limited, although one study focusing on the experiences of personal assistants (PAs) in HE is identified (Parker, 1999). Semi-structured interviews were carried out with notetakers (9) and disabled students (6) to explore their experiences of learning and working in Higher Education. Interviews were also held with staff at the disability support department of the HEI. The research design also draws on analysis of findings from a wider ESRC funded research study that explored the experiences of disabled students across 4 UK HEls, including the institution investigated in this study. It was found that disabled students and notetakers are commonly viewed as having responsibilities towards the system of disability support. A Foucauldian perspective is used to consider how disabled students and

Item Type:

Thesis (PhD)

Thesis Advisors: