Study Title: Disabled Students in American Higher Education
Researcher and Title: Theodoto Ressa, Professor
Department and Institution: Teacher Education, Wayne State University
Contact Information: 5425 Gullen Mall, Rm #291 Education Bldg. Detroit, MI 48202.
Office Tel:. 313-577-3358. Email: gn1621@wayne.edu 

BRIEF SUMMARY
You are being asked to participate in a research study. The researcher is required to provide a consent form to inform you about the research study, to convey that participation is voluntary, to explain risks and benefits of participation including why you might or might not want to participate, and to empower you to make an informed decision. You should feel free to discuss and ask the researcher any questions you may have.

You are being asked to participate in a research study of students with disabilities in American colleges and universities and how various factors influence their inclusion and belonging. Your participation in this study will take about 10-15 minutes. You will be asked to complete a survey.

The most likely risks of participating in this study are minimal and no more than encountered in normal educational setting. You will not directly benefit from your participation in this study. However, your participation in this study may contribute to the understanding of opportunities and challenges of higher education in America.

Please take time to review this information carefully.

PURPOSE OF RESEARCH
The purpose of this research is to better understand factors that impact inclusion and belonging at college/universities and communities in America with aim to map the current situation.

WHAT YOU WILL BE ASKED TO DO
You will be asked to complete a survey regarding your background and your understanding of participation in college education. The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS
You will not directly benefit from your participation in this study. However, your participation in this study may contribute to the understanding of opportunities and challenges of college and university education in the United States.

POTENTIAL RISKS
There are minimal risks participating in this study and no more than encountered in normal educational setting.

PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY
Data collected from this research project will be kept confidential at all stages of research. Only the principal researcher will have access to the raw data. All data will be stored on password required hard drives and locked in file cabinets when not being used by the researcher.

OUR RIGHTS TO PARTICIPATE, SAY NO, OR WITHDRAW:
Participation in this research project is completely voluntary. All participants have the right to say no and refuse data to be collected on them. In addition, you may withdraw from the project at any time and for any reason. You may choose not to participate at all, or you may refuse to participate in certain procedures or answer certain questions or discontinue your participation at any time without consequence

COST AND COMPENSATION FOR BEING IN THE STUDY:
This study is funded by the Teacher Education Division (WSU). A $10 Amazon gift card will be offered randomly to selected 500 participants out of up to 1,000 participants who complete the survey.

CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have concerns or questions about this study, such as socio-cultural-linguistic or scientific issues, how to do any part of it, or to report an injury, please contact the researcher (Dr. Theodoto Ressa, Professor, 5425 Gullen Mall, Rm #291 Education Bldg. Detroit, MI 48202. Office Tel:. 313-577-3358. Email: gn1621@wayne.edu).

If you have questions or concerns about your role and rights as a research participant, would like to obtain information or offer input, or would like to register a complaint about this study, you may contact, anonymously if you wish, Wayne State University’s Human Research Protection Program at Tel. (313) 577-1628, or email irbstatus@wayne.edu, IRBQuestions@wayne.edu or regular mail at 87 East Canfield Street, 2nd Floor Detroit, MI 48201

DOCUMENTATION OF INFORMED CONSENT.
By clicking this, you are acknowledging that you received a copy of this form via email, have had the opportunity to read this form, have had the opportunity to ask questions about the research study, and your questions have been answered. You are also acknowledging that you are prepared to participate in the research study described above.

IRB Reference Number: IRB-20-02-1899