The self-rehabilitation of physically disabled adults through selected avocational program adaptations by Texas community colleges

Abstract

This study was designed to determine how avocational programs in continuing education departments of Texas Public community junior colleges could be adapted to aid physically disabled adults in their own rehabilitation. The subjects participating in this study consisted of twenty continuing education administrators from individual public community junior colleges within the State of Texas. The data for the study were gathered by the use of a Delphi Technique which provided the determination of consensus by administrators. This consensus was achieved by obtaining answers concerning the factors suggested for adaptation avocational programs for the disabled. The data were treated by descriptive statistics and comparisons among written statements. The results indicated that thirteen of the sixteen suggested factors were necessary for the adaptation of avocational programs. General ideas of how to adapt these necessary factors were obtained. The results also indicated that some community colleges provided more service to the disabled than other community colleges. Better educational service could be provided for physically disabled adults by all continuing education departments of the institutions sampled. The findings showed agreement among the administrators concerning program adaptation across several institutional characteristics of the participating community colleges. Therefore, it can be suggested that both the potential and the means are available for adult educators to create opportunities within continuing education for improved participation by physically disabled adults. This participation will thereby create the opportunity for the disabled to aid their own rehabilitation through avocational programs.