Disabled students’ voices about their psycho-social and educational experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: an empirical study

Abstract

This article presents a study about the psycho-social and educational experiences of disabled students during the COVID-19 pandemic, from quarantine and remote learning to the transition back to their schools. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with 45 primary and secondary school-aged disabled students attending both regular and special schools in Greece. Despite the identification of some positive experiences, not all disabled pupils and in all cases were benefited from the measures implemented by the Greek government, as they voiced a range of educational, psychological, and social challenges. Further, disabled pupils’ accounts indicated that they were confronted with ableist discourses in the Greek educational policy and practices concerning the ‘support’ that was available. This study emphasises the need to listen to the voices of disabled students as a pathway to ensure their rights and promote their inclusion, empowerment, and resilience in crisis and no crisis times in their schools.