Provision for students with disabilities by higher education institutions: opportunities and challenges

Abstract

This study was intended to assess the provision for students with disabilities (SWDs) by higher education institutions. A descriptive survey design was used by mixing quantitative and qualitative methods in collecting and analyzing data. Questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions were employed to collect data from different sources. Available sampling was used to determine the target of the study. Hence, 109 SWDs and 42 teachers participated in this study. The findings showed that though teachers claimed they had a strong belief (mean = 4.14) and positive attitudes (mean = 4.09) towards teaching SWDs, they did not effectively demonstrate these in their actual instructional practice. The findings also revealed that, though there seemed to be opportunities for SWDs, these were not found to be enough to address their needs and overcome the various challenges they faced in pursuing their education in higher education institutions. Hence, based on the results, recommendations were made to improve the quality of academic and service provisions for SWDs in higher education institutions.