Social representations of intellectual impairments in universities : the educational implications of a case study in Chile

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a study setting out to identify changes in the construction of social representations held by members of the academic and student community concerning the active participation at their university of students with intellectual impairments. The approach was qualitative, with phenomenological methodology, a case study, and in-depth interviews as the data-gathering instrument. The sample comprised 15 participants from different groups at a Chilean university (senior managers, academic managers, teachers and students) which offers a programme for young people with intellectual impairments. The most important results are that, in the areas of socialization and participation, elements of exclusion and social representations based on deficits still persist. Our conclusions enable the creation of educational and administrative guidelines for strengthening inclusiveness in university programmes for both students with intellectual impairments and whole university community.