The experience of students with disabilities towards their social interaction with their non-disabled student mates: The case ofMenelik II Preparatory School for Higher Education and TikurAnbesa Secondary Schools.
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Date
2024-11-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
It is known that mutual engagement through social and interpersonal interaction of individuals is
the reality and naturally occurring social phenomenon of any society. As it is the fact of life
individuals are required to establish interpersonal relationship and engage in social activities for
their mutual benefit and success. Hence, this study aims to investigate the response of students
with disabilities to their social and interpersonal interaction with their nondisabled peers.
Qualitative research approach was applied to undertake the study in two selected secondary
schools. A total of 13 discussants with disabilities and 10 key informants recruited from the
management staff of the study school where the participants of the study. Focus group discussion
and interview were also used as data collection instruments to gather the opinions of the
participants of the study. As confirmed the finding of the study, most of the participants of the
study did believe that participant students with disabilities were aware of the importance of
social and interpersonal interaction with their nondisabled peers, and even if such interaction
results in mutual benefit, most likely students with disabilities were found advantageous by
earning better benefit from such relationship. Furthermore, their limited engagement in
extracurricular activities, negative attitude of the people towards disability, lack of due attention
on the part of the government and appropriate intervention were mentioned as critical challenges
that affected the social and interpersonal interaction of students with disabilities with their
nondisabled peers. On contrary, appropriately practiced inclusive education was reported to be as
doable strategy that contributed for the improvement of social and interpersonal interaction of
students with nondisabled peers. Based on the key findings of the study, the strengthening of
resource centers, the promotion of inclusive education, the involvement of relevant stakeholders
and the availability of multidisciplinary support services in schools were enumerated as
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recommendations for the improvement of the social and interpersonal interaction of students
with disabilities with their nondisabled peers.
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Keywords
: Social interaction, Inclusion, Inclusive education, Special needs education, Students with disabilities.