First Generation College Students with Disabilities Attending a Four-year College: How Did They Get There

Abstract

Post-secondary education is important for all students. Despite an increase in high school graduation rates and an increase in post-secondary enrollment, students with disabilities are less likely to enroll in a four-year post-secondary program than their general education peers. They are also more likely to drop out and not complete their degree than their general education peers. Using Espinoza’s research on pivotal moments as the framework, this qualitative study used a combination of case study approach and grounded theory to answer the research questions. In-depth interviews were conducted with ten current first-generation college students with disabilities. The results of this study suggest that first-generation students with disabilities can benefit from pivotal moments.