María Pallisera i Díaz

La participación de los estudiantes en la universidad : dificultades percibidas y propuestas de mejora

This article focuses on an analysis of student participation in university government and aims specifically to identify the main obstacles to student participation and the proposals that can facilitate student involvement in the functioning of the university. In research done during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 academic years based on student questionnaires, teaching staff interviews and student discussion groups, information was obtained about the major obstacles to student participation. It is shown that, in line with general tendencies found in other studies on this topic, student participation at different levels of the university is scarce. However, the methodology employed in this research makes it possible to compare and contrast student opinions with the perceptions of the teaching staff and thereby identify significant differences that flag the main ways to facilitate change in student participation in the university. The necessary changes should not only be related with improving the means of informing students about ways to participate; they must also influence the formulation of participatory processes by universities, the role of the teaching staff and, specifically, the role of the coordinators of the governing bodies closest to students. In the conclusions, improvements are proposed aimed at promoting student involvement in the functioning of the university, inter alia: improving information and channels of communication with students, improving students’ electoral processes, providing students with education for participation and providing teachers with training in the methodologies, resources and tools that can affect student motivation.

Retos para la vida independiente de las personas con discapacidad intelectual. Un estudio basado en sus opiniones, las de sus familias y las de los profesionales

Despite Spains ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007, there are few studies on the situation of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) regarding their right to independent living (art. 19). In order to analyse the barriers, supports and challenges that affect the exercise of this right, a qualitative study was developed through 10 focus groups and 22 individual interviews with people with ID, 5 focus groups with families, and 33 individual interviews with professionals. The research results show the need to guarantee the universality of the right to independent living, offering quality personalized supports and developing training and awareness actions in the area of rights with the different actors involved.

Apoyando la participación real de las personas con discapacidad intelectual: una experiencia de investigación inclusiva sobre vida independiente

En nuestro contexto se han desarrollado escasas experiencias de investigacion realizadas conjuntamente entre investigadores academicos e investigadores con discapacidad intelectual. Este articulo tiene como finalidad aportar una experiencia de investigacion cualitativa sobre vida independiente y discapacidad, desarrollada por las autoras (investigadoras academicas) en colaboracion con un Consejo Asesor integrado por personas con discapacidad intelectual. Se pretende, ademas de presentar el desarrollo y resultados de la investigacion, explicar como se ha construido el proceso de colaboracion entre los asesores y las investigadoras de la universidad a lo largo de las distintas fases del estudio. Tambien se van a concretar las estrategias de apoyo que se han ofrecido a los asesores para plantear, finalmente, las reflexiones sobre los principales retos que conlleva avanzar en los procesos de investigacion inclusiva. Con ello se pretende contribuir al avance de las investigaciones inclusivas en las que las personas con discapacidad tengan un protagonismo real en el estudio de los problemas que las afectan.