Self-advocacy and self-determination for students with disabilties: an empowerment group

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to provide a facilitator manual for counsellors that lead psychoeducational support groups for Students With Disabilities (SWDs) in higher education. This project begins with background information regarding SWDs in higher education and rationale as to why a group focused on building self-advocacy skills and selfdetermination is a needed service for SWDs. A literature review on SWDs in higher education and the use of group therapy with SWDs in educational settings is provided, as well as a discussion of influential theories in the creation ofthe manual. An outline ofhow the project is structured is offered, which includes important information for creating the group and proposed topics. Finally, a facilitator manual for a psychoeducational empowerment group for SWDs is presented which outlines the procedures for implementing the group including suggested activities.ii Abstract