Career Choice of Students with Disabilities: Influence of Family, Friends and Educational Actor

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-73782025000100161

Keywords:

Disability, Professional interests, Influences, Higher education programs

Abstract

The objective of this research was to recognize the influence that various educational actors have on the career selection process of people with disabilities. The study was carried out based on interviews with people with visual, hearing, motor or psychosocial disabilities. The results showed that family was a fundamental support for the majority, while personal development and goals were the most influential factors in career choice. The disability situation, when it had an influence, was associated with economic issues, lack of skills, aspects of insecurity or daily difficulties. Regarding educational guidance, the majority of participants did not receive professional support, and those who did obtain it did not consider it relevant in their decision. The teachers’ influence was mixed: some students valued the support, while others perceived it as a hindrance. Friends acted as companions, but without influencing the final decision. The study discusses coincidences with previous research and raises areas of opportunity to improve vocational guidance and selection processes.

Author Biographies

Enoc Obed de la Sancha Villa, Universidad de Guanajuato

Full-time professor in the Department of Education at the University of Guanajuato. Highest degree: Doctorate in Behavioural Science. Research interests: Socio-emotional development in children and adolescents; Dispositional aspects of learning; Behaviour analysis with educational implications.

Emanuel Meraz Meza, Universidad Veracruzana

Researcher affiliated with the Institute of Psychology and Education at the University of Veracruz. Highest degree: Doctorate in Behavioural Science. Areas of research: Language as behaviour; study of the complexity of behaviour in reading adjustment; attention to the population with learning diversity.

Cirila Cervera Delgado, Universidad de Guanajuato

PhD in History, Master's Degree in Educational Research, and Bachelor's Degree in Primary Education. She is a member of the National System of Researchers and has the Desirable Profile Prodep. Member of the Consolidated Academic Body ‘Education in Culture, History, and Art.’ Her lines of research are History of Education, Education and Gender, and Training and Curriculum.

Luis Jesús Ibarra Manrique, Universidad de Guanajuato

Full-time professor assigned to the Department of Education at the University of Guanajuato. PRODEP recognition desirable. Head of the Academic Body for Educational Process Consolidation, particularly with regard to issues of educational inclusion of students with disabilities in higher education, teaching practice, and teaching strategies. Promoter of the inclusion of people with disabilities by the Municipal Presidency and the DIF of Guanajuato Capital for the year 2023.

Isaias Misael Morales Villaseñor, Universidad de Guanajuato

Master's degree in educational research. Researcher in the areas of child development in educational settings and intervention strategies for coexistence and educational quality. Educator with two years of experience teaching secondary school, high school, and university students.

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Published

2025-07-31

How to Cite

de la Sancha Villa, E. O., Meraz Meza, E., Cervera Delgado, C., Ibarra Manrique, L. J., & Morales Villaseñor, I. M. (2025). Career Choice of Students with Disabilities: Influence of Family, Friends and Educational Actor. Revista Latinoamericana De Educación Inclusiva, 19(1), 161–173. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-73782025000100161

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Temática Libre

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Copyright (c) 2025 Revista Latinoamericana de Educación Inclusiva

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