Impact of the Quality of Life Supports Model on the inclusion of students with disabilities in higher education: A scoping review

The Quality of Life Supports Model (QOLSM) is a well-suited framework for enhancing the inclusion of students with disabilities in higher education. No research aimed at assessing its impact has been identified. This review aims to map the scientific literature to assess the current impact of QOLSM on higher education. A Scoping Review of educational practices, policies, and cultures aimed at enhancing the quality of life for students with disabilities was conducted. Databases from EBSCOHost, ProQuest, and Scielo were employed to identify studies written in English or Spanish from 1978 to 2023. Four independent reviewers screened results for inclusion. Out of 5361 records, 21 met the inclusion criteria. Students with developmental disabilities are the primary recipients of Quality-of-life support strategies. The reported educational practices were poorly aligned with the disability rights framework, the social-ecological model of disability, and the multidimensional Quality-of-Life construct. Specialized supports and mainstream settings were more common than generic supports and segregated settings. This review highlights the currently limited impact of the QOLSM in fostering the inclusion of students with disabilities in higher education. Conducting a systematic review or meta-analysis is not recommended at this stage. • Quality-of-life support strategies mainly target students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. • Ecological levels impacted by support strategies may influence the improved quality-of-life dimensions. • Poor sample descriptions and low-quality evidence designs are common issues. • The QOLSM is still poorly impacted on fostering inclusion in higher education. • The QOLSM constitutes an opportunity to guide research in higher education.