I am conducting a research study to explore the experiences of graduate students at UTHSC who have hidden disabilities using individual interviews. Specifically, the researcher is interested in examining the perceptions of having a hidden disability, what factors influence when and if you disclose your disability to peers, professors, or institutional officials, and if you utilize institutional resources or accommodations.
As a part of your participation in this study, you will be asked to complete an electronic demographic survey which will take 10 minutes to complete. This survey will be made available to you via Qualtrics prior to your scheduled Zoom or in person interview and involves answering a series of questions. The individual interview, which will take place via Zoom or in-person, will follow an interview guide to gain insight into your experience with having a hidden disability, and will last between 60-90 minutes. All participants will be given a $25 Amazon gift card after completing the survey and interview.
Your participation is voluntary, and your responses will be kept confidential. If you are a current graduate student at UTHSC who has or has been diagnosed with a hidden disability, and are interested in this study, please contact the PI, Kimberly Williams, at kwilli72@uthsc.edu.
This study has been reviewed by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Institutional Review Board (IRB #24-09812-XP). You may contact Cameron Barclay, MSA, UTHSC IRB Director, at 901-448-4824, or visit the IRB website at http://www.uthsc.edu/research/compliance/irb/ if you have any questions about your rights as a research subject, or if you have questions, concerns, or complaints about the research.