Angelo State University
Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Consent to Participate in an IRB-Approved Research Event

Project Title: Surveying the Issues, Interests, and Career Goals of Individuals with Disabilities in Teacher Education

Investigator Name/Department: Richard Evans / Teacher Education
Investigator Phone: 325-942-2052 ex 477

You are being asked to participate in a research event conducted with the approval of the Angelo State University Institutional Review Board (and if applicable, other relevant IRB committees). In order to participate, you are required to give your consent by reading and signing this document.

The investigator will explain to you in detail the purpose of the project, the procedures to be used, and the potential benefits and possible risks of participation. You may ask any questions you have at any time before the project begins. A basic explanation of the project is written below. Please read and, should you decide to participate, sign this form in the presence of the person who explained the project to you. Upon request, you will be given an unsigned copy of this form for your records.

Refusal to participate in this study will have no effect on any future services you may be entitled to from the University. Anyone who agrees to participate in this study is free to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty. I understand also that it is not possible to identify all potential risks in an experimental procedure, and I believe that reasonable safeguards have been taken to minimize both the known and potential but unknown risks.

1. Nature and Purpose of the Project. This research project will evaluate the current interest in pursuing Teacher Education amongst High School and University students with disabilities, and to evaluate the current environment of Practicing Teachers with disabilities. The study also provides for projective data in all three levels concerning long term goals and the potential for staying in Education throughout one's career

2. Explanation of Procedures. This research project will use individuals with disabilities identified using Educators with Disabilities members, Council for Exceptional Children, and the Office of Special Education Program's Discretionary Grants Public Database to solicit participants to complete an online survey to collect data from potential education candidates with disabilities.

3. Discomfort and Risks. The investigator's perception that there is not more than minimal risk involved in participating in this project and those risks are no more than expected in everyday life. It is not possible to identify all potential risks in an experimental procedure, and reasonable safeguards have been taken to minimize both the known and potential but unknown risks.

4. Benefits. Potential benefits include helping educators with disabilities identify barriers and obstacles that will slow or block their progress in completing teacher preparation programs. In addition it will help identify the barriers and obstacles university staff, school administrators, and other education professionals should be aware of to make appropriate accommodation for educators with disabilities.

5. Confidentiality. The identity any individual will be confidential and data collected will not be used for any other than this study without my express written permission.

Any question about the conduct of this research project should be brought to the attention of Richard Evans, Jr., Teacher Education, (325) 942-2052 ext. 477