Difficulties and Needs of Students With Physical Disabilities in Enrolling in High School and Their High School Life: A Questionnaire Survey

Abstract

The present research examined the difficulties and needs of young people with physical disabilities when entering high school and in their school life, through a questionnaire survey. Useable replies were received from 109 individuals. More than half of the survey respondents were individuals with spina bifida who needed medical assistance with urination. They reported that, when they chose a high school, they focused on schools with barrier-free facilities in the school zone. However, unexpected problems with the facilities developed before and after they had enrolled in high school. Half of the respondents reported difficulties in participating in physical education classes and expressed dissatisfaction with the contents of lessons and the grades that they had received. Many respondents reported that they had problems making friends and with interpersonal relationships, and that they thought that other students did not understand their disability. Those who had gone on to universities reported a need for more course guidance, and demanded changes in the content of courses and the teachers' attitudes. Some respondents reported that they had been unable to continue to a university or fınd employment because the career guidance that they had received in high school was not adequate. Future studies should improve the method of investigation, collect data more widely, and examine issues in relation to each type of illness.