Evidence-based Practices in Mentoring Students with Disabilities: Four Case Studies

Abstract

Individuals with disabilities are attending postsecondary institutions at higher rates than ever before, although many struggle to adjust in college environments. On one hand, higher education positively correlates with better employment outcomes, while on the other, higher education represents more stringent academic requirements and more diffused disability supports. One intervention used to check the 'trauma' of transition from high school to postsecondary education is mentoring. This article describes four successful mentorship programs, in various stages of maturity, which are currently funded by the National Science Foundation. The case studies describe the structure of each program, recruitment strategies, the students involved, and outcomes achieved to date. Implications or 'lessons learned' are also discussed to provide other important information and impetus for those anticipating such programs.

Qualitative Investigation of the Influence of STEM Mentors on Youth With Disabilities

“…About 73% of mentored participants reported mentoring experiences were valuable, particularly with regard to increasing their STEM career interests. Similar positive outcomes were reported by Stumbo et al (2010), who surveyed 32 individuals with disabilities who participated in facultymentored undergraduate research in the Eastern Alliance for STEM Program: Thirty-three percent of the participants were attending graduate school and 67% were employed, with almost 80% of their jobs in STEM fields (Stumbo et al, 2010).…”

Project Career: An individualized postsecondary approach to promoting independence, functioning, and employment success among students with traumatic brain injuries

“…One approach to increasing opportunities and positive outcomes is mentorship [26,29]. Mentoring increases educational and employment prospects [19].…”

Electronic Mentoring Programs and Interventions for Children and Youth With Disabilities: Systematic Review

“…Mentoring is a promising mechanism that could help to enhance youth’s inclusion in society [15-18], while offering support and coping strategies [19]. Mentoring involves a relationship between a more experienced individual, who serves as a role model and shares his or her experiences, and a less experienced individual [17,20,21]. Mentoring can offer informational, practical, and emotional assistance along with coping skills [16,22-24].…”

“…Until recently, most mentoring programs have not included or specifically targeted youth with disabilities [16,25]. Having mentors for youth with disabilities is critical for developing their social capital, self-determination, quality of life, and career development goals [16,17,26-29]. Research focusing on face-to-face mentoring for youth with disabilities shows beneficial impacts on transition to postsecondary education and employment [16,26], social competence and self-esteem [30], and independent living skills [11].…”