Exploring the Experiences of Students with Visual Impairments at the University of Botswana
Purpose: This paper sought to document the responsiveness of the University of Botswana towards the academic needs of students with visual impairments. The study examined the academic experiences of students with visual impairments enrolled at the University and explored their information-seeking needs. The study was informed by the theory of social justice.
Method: This was a qualitative study. Data was collected from students with visual impairments and academic staff from different faculties at the University of Botswana, through document analysis, interviews and observation techniques.
Results: The findings revealed that students with visual impairments experience extra challenges compared to students without disabilities. This is mainly because they do not get full support to enable them to excel academically. Furthermore, lecturers use teaching methodologies that do not accommodate these students, and learning materials are not adapted to formats suitable for them. Access to information is another major concern that hinders the participation of students with visual impairments in tertiary institutions.
Conclusion: The study recommends that lecturers need to be trained on suitable methods to teach students with visual impairments and how best to deliver academic content to them.Keywords
Authors
How to Cite
Download Citation
License
Copyright © 2019 The Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License By-NC-ND 4.0 that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access ).
Similar Articles
- Meng Ee Wong, Libby G. Cohen, Access and Challenges of Assistive Technology Application: Experience of Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments in Singapore , Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development: Vol. 26 No. 4 (2015): Winter 2015
- Tagore Govindarajan, Assistive Devices for Persons with Visual Impairment and Low Vision: Preferences and Expectations of Users in the Southern States of India , Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development: Vol. 33 No. 1: (Spring) - 2022
- S Parween, Variables Influencing Emotional Intelligence of Visually Impaired Students in Higher Education , Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development: Vol. 26 No. 1 (2015): Spring 2015
- Maxwell Peprah Opoku, Beatrice Atim Alupo, Naomi Gyamfi, Lois Odame, Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah, Eric Lawer Torgbenu, Eric Badu, The Family and Disability in Ghana: Highlighting Gaps in Achieving Social Inclusion , Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development: Vol. 28 No. 4 (2017): Winter 2017
- Frank Twum, Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah, Anthony Kwaku Edusei, Joseph Ampratwum, Isaac Adu Gyamfi, Competencies of Students with Visual Impairment in using the White Cane in their Learning Environment: a Case Study at Wenchi Senior High in Ghana , Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development: Vol. 29 No. 1 (2018): Spring 2018
- Nainika Seth, Megha Dhillon, Intersections of Disability and Gender in Sports: Experiences of Indian Female Athletes , Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development: Vol. 30 No. 3 (2019): Autumn 2019
- Hilary Kibele Harawo, Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah, Extra-Institutional Factors Limiting Access to Rehabilitation Services for Children with Cerebral Palsy: Perspectives of Caregivers in Marsabit County, Kenya , Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development: Vol. 32 No. 4: Winter 2021
- The Maria Meiwati Widagdo, Yunita Rappun, Aprilia Vetricia Gandrung, Edy Wibowo, Impact of Visual Impairment and Correction on Vision-Related Quality of Life: Comparing People with Different Levels of Visual Acuity in Indonesia , Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development: Vol. 31 No. 4 (2020): Winter
- Nathan Grills, Lawrence Singh, Hira Pant, Jubin Varghese, GVS Murthy, Monsurul Hoq, Manjula Marella, Access to Services and Barriers faced by People with Disabilities: A Quantitative Survey , Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development: Vol. 28 No. 2 (2017): Summer 2017
- Inoka E Weerasinghe, Pushpa Fonseka, S D Dharmaratne, J A M S Jayatilake, Prevalence of Physical Disability among Urban Community-dwelling Adults in Sri Lanka , Disability, CBR & Inclusive Development: Vol. 26 No. 2 (2015): Summer 2015
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.