November 21, 2024 By CDHD CDHD research explores student perceptions of accessibility on campus Research plays a key role in helping the CDHD plan and execute services that meet the needs of the Idaho disability community. Each year, we aim to undertake new studies in an effort to better understand different aspects of disability services as well as how they can be improved. In 2024 alone, Center staff completed 13 information-gathering, research, evaluation and analysis projects. We also introduced the undergraduate interdisciplinary training program research initiative, which facilitates research opportunities for student trainees during their time at the CDHD. This year, Kincaid Moberly jumped at the chance. Kincaid is currently a senior at the University of Idaho, completing a degree in Sociology. He’s working at the Center, coordinating the Self-Advocates of Moscow (SAM) group and assisting the Disability Advocacy Network of Idaho. He’s also – with the help of Dr Erik Luvaas – completing a study that focuses on student perceptions of accessibility and disability services available on campus. “As a student with a disability who wants to pursue a career in research, this project is especially meaningful to me… Having recognized how important an accessible and inclusive environment is to me, I wanted to understand other students’ social and educational experiences on campus, and design a framework to improve our climate, environment and services based on student-centered feedback,” Kincaid said when asked about this project. The study builds on research completed in 2020 by former CDHD trainee, Laura Hannon. Laura’s qualitative study explored the sense of belonging among accommodated students with disabilities. “Dr Luvaas and I developed a 15-minute survey to understand if and how student perceptions of campus accessibility and inclusion correlate with academic self-efficacy (the confidence in one’s ability to succeed at performing scholastic tasks),” Kincaid said. The survey, which was released in late September, is still open until the end of the year. Kincaid is asking all University of Idaho students to participate. As extra incentive to take the 15-minute survey, those who complete it will go into a drawing to win a $50 e-gift card. In 2025, Kincaid will begin to review survey results, with the aim of pulling together actionable recommendations for the University. “We will produce recommendations for administration and student support services on improving student success through accessible and inclusive policies/practices. We hope that our work will be the beginning of a larger administrative effort to center students with disabilities in enhancing the social and academic experience of students." Take the survey or share it If you are a University of Idaho student, please take Kincaid’s survey to provide your experience with accessibility and services on campus. If you know a University of Idaho student, feel free to share the survey link. The more voices we hear the better!