Experiences of students with visual impairments in higher education: barriers and facilitators

This study explored the factors that facilitate and complicate the higher education process for students with visual impairments (VI). The participants were six university students with VI and eight academics/faculty members who instruct these students together with other students. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analysed using content analysis methods. The students with VI stated that they face barriers related to lack of materials, difficulty obtaining lecture notes, poor academic support, reader-related problems, insufficient library sources, and access to and within the university. Positive facilitators reported by the students were mainly related to personal factors, as well as peer and academic support. The academics demonstrated limited awareness of the barriers faced by students with VI, and the academic support available to these students was found to be insufficient as well. The results indicate that there are considerable barriers to university education for students with VI.