Students with Disabilities as a Marginal Group in the University Environment

Abstract

The paper analyzes the demographic dynamics and structure of a marginal group, represented by students with disabilities, in the University “Dunarea de Jos” of Galati. It was given by the context of the development of a European project which facilitated access to university education for people with disabilities. The processed data cover a period of four years and have revealed several types of relations between the majority and the demographic structure of marginal group. The study considered both the strictly demographic indicators - sex and age - and the options for study programs chosen by students. The research results show that students with disabilities represent a distinct category in terms of structural features. However, several general features of the macro-university system configuration is reflected in the marginal group, according to the principles of part-whole.