Rao, S. M. (2002). Students with disabilities in higher education: Faculty attitudes and willingness to provide accommodations (Publication No. 3079101) [Doctoral dissertation, University of Arkansas]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global. https://www.proquest.com/docview/304798932

University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR); ProQuest document ID: 304798932

Accommodations were not specified; however, it was discussed broadly. University faculty attitudes towards students with disabilities and their willingness to provide accommodations was the focus of this study.

The University of Arkansas, at Fayetteville Arkansas, had 245 faculty respond to the survey. Faculty members included professors, associate professors, assistant professors, instructors, and "others". They represented a variety of academic disciplines which included from the College of Education and Health Professions, the College of Engineering, the Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food, and Life Sciences, the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, the Walton College of Business, the School of Architecture, and the School of Law.

Faculty members completed a survey with questions regarding demographic data, faculty members knowledge of disability law, attitudes towards students with disabilities, and willingness to provide accommodations. Eighteen of the questions contained in the survey were taken from the 'Willingness to Provide Accommodations' scale used in previous studies.

Findings indicate that faculty members held generally positive attitudes towards students with disabilities. Additionally, faculty expressed more willingness to provide some accommodations over others. For instance, respondents were more willing to provide students with a detailed syllabus than they were to allows students to complete extra credit assignments. Finally, results indicate that willingness to provide accommodations is dependent on type of disability, proven need, fairness to students without disabilities.