Equity and Equality in Access to Higher Education: The Experiences of Students with Disabilities in Tanzania

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 415-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemarie Nyigulila Mwaipopo ◽  
Amandina Lihamba ◽  
Delphine Cosmas Njewele
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Access To Higher Education ◽  
Policy Documents ◽  
Demographic Groups ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Development Policies

Social development policies in Tanzania are exemplary in terms of their recognition of the rights of access to higher education institutions by specific demographic groups. Policy documents such as the 2005 National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (known as the MKUKUTA) and the 2004 National Policy on Disability emphasise this necessity and outline the government's commitment to ensure that people who are socially disadvantaged, including those with disabilities, can equally access higher education. The process through which this is achieved is, however, less explicit and is therefore difficult to measure in relation to what students with disabilities actually experience as they not only pursue, but also experience higher education. Using both qualitative and quantitative data, this article analyses the process of access into higher education institutions and outcomes in terms of representation in higher education institutions by students with disabilities. In doing so, it seeks to explore the meaning and outcomes of policies related to higher education institutions in Tanzania in terms of their stated equality ideals and achievements in practice.

BARRIERS TO ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR PERSONS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-85
Author(s):  
A. Stambekova ◽  
◽  
M. Shmidt ◽  
G. Yerzhanova ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Equal Access ◽  
Access To Higher Education ◽  
Special Educational Needs ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
University Admission ◽  
Barriers To Access ◽  
The Republic

The article is devoted to the problem of equal access of persons with disabilities to higher education. The problem of eliminating discrimination against the rights of persons with disabilities is relevant for the whole world, including for the Republic of Kazakhstan. The purpose of the study is to identify barriers to admission to higher education institutions for applicants with disabilities, as well as to identify possible ways to overcome and eliminate them. The methods of mixed research were used: qualitative and quantitative. The study involved 120 students of grades 10-11 of schools in the Almaty region with disabilities. The results of the survey revealed barriers to university admission. A model for overcoming barriers to university admission for people with disabilities is proposed, which will increase the level of accessibility of higher education.

scholarly journals Attitudinal Barriers Encountered by Students with Disabilities in Higher Education Institutions

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nageswara Rao Ambati
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Andhra Pradesh ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Higher Education Curriculum ◽  
Attitudinal Barriers

The present study is an exploratory in nature. The papers aims to understand the attitudinal barriers encountered by students with disabilities in higher education institutions and its impact on their learning experiences. The study was conducted in the erstwhile State of Andhra Pradesh (now bifurcated in to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), India. For this study, the researcher selected three universities in different parts of Andhra Pradesh by using purposive sampling. In the second phase the researcher interviewed 100 students with disabilities from the selected universities by using snowball sampling. For this study, quantitative and qualitative data analyses were used and in most cases quotes of real text for each theme were maintained and used extensively. The findings of the paper covered characteristics of students with disabilities, attitudinal barriers faced by them. The findings of the study suggests that changes are needed to be made, not only in the physical environment in which teaching and learning takes place, but also in the way in which higher education curriculum is organised, delivered and assessed and changes should also come in attitudes of teachers, university administration, peer group and public at large.

scholarly journals Funding and inclusion in higher education institutions for students with disabilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desire Chiwandire ◽  
Louise Vincent
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
The United States ◽  
Steady Increase ◽  
Group Data ◽  
Funding Policies ◽  
Funding Mechanisms ◽  
Test Requirements

Background: Historically, challenges faced by students with disabilities (SWDs) in accessing higher education institutions (HEIs) were attributed to limited public funding. The introduction of progressive funding models such as disability scholarships served to widen access to, and participation in, higher education for SWDs. However, recent years have seen these advances threatened by funding cuts and privatisation in higher education.Objectives: In this article, the funding mechanisms of selected developed and developing democratic countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa and India are described in order to gain an insight into how such mechanisms enhance access, equal participation, retention, success and equality of outcome for SWDs. The countries selected are often spoken about as exemplars of best practices in relation to widening access and opportunities for SWDs through government mandated funding mechanisms. Method: A critical literature review of the sample countries’ funding mechanisms governing SWDs in higher education and other relevant government documents; secondary academic literature on disability funding; online sources including University World News, University Affairs, newspaper articles, newsletters, literature from bodies such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Disabled World and Parliamentary Monitoring Group. Data were analysed using a theoretically derived directed qualitative content analysis.Results: Barriers which place SWDs at a substantial educational disadvantage compared to their non-disabled peers include bureaucratisation of application processes, cuts in disability funding, means-test requirements, minimal scholarships for supporting part-time and distance learning for SWDs and inadequate financial support to meet the day-to-day costs that arise as a result of disability.Conclusion: Although the steady increase of SWDs accessing HEIs of the sampled countries have been attributed to supportive disability funding policies, notable is the fact that these students are still confronted by insurmountable disability funding-oriented barriers. Thus, we recommend the need for these HEIs to address these challenges as a matter of urgency if they are to respect the rights of SWDs as well as provide them with an enabling environment to succeed academically.

scholarly journals MOOCs as Disruptive Innovation in Higher Education

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-12
Author(s):  
Kamarudin Hussin
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Flipped Classroom ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Disruptive Innovation ◽  
Virtual Learning Environment ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Access To Higher Education ◽  
E Learning

The advancement of technology in higher education is always perceived as a valuable innovation that create better impact to the society. The advent of the Internet for instance, has magnificently created important features in learning environment globally. Higher education community optimizes the Internet as an essential resource, communication platforms and dynamic tools in their core teaching-learning, research, consultation activities, entertainment and many others. Moreover, innovations such as mobile technology has successfully broadened access to the Internet and related online services and facilities. Higher education institutions as the hub for technology development and innovation have invested in virtual learning environment to support current needs of global population. Related to this fact, e- learning modules and contents are offered across universities, and interested learners in public communities are benefited by this opportunity. Educators and experts in higher education institutions are delivering their knowledge, discoveries and expertise via e-learning platforms and other supported technology. Equally important, e-learning has successfully expanded opportunities for lifelong and flexible learning, and offered a solution for practical issues and increasing student numbers. As a matter of fact, e-learning has been proposed as a promising way out for many complex issues such asfunding constraints, increasing demand and access to higher education while improving quality and high impact educational provisions in many countries. While addressing these issues, higher education administrators, educators, researchers and policy makers have developed responses in various frameworks. Initiatives such as Competency-Based Online Programs, development of open source materials, flipped classroom and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have contributed towards reducing cost of higher education as well as increasing access to higher education. MOOCs technology has proven its capability to reach massive audienceof about 30,000 students at a time. Across the globe, MOOCs offer free access to online course lectures, self- paced lessons, readings, problem sets, blogs, discussion boards, peer assessment and even online discussion group platforms for global students (Leon and Price, 2016). In 2017, MOOCs offered more than 9,400 courses with more than 500 MOOC based credentials according to data gathered by Class Central. Excitingly, MOOC platforms have recorded more than 81 million learners to date (Class Central, 2017).  

College disability support offices as advertisements: A multimodal discourse analysis

2020 ◽  
pp. 146144562096692
Author(s):  
So Yoon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Genre Analysis ◽  
Multimodal Discourse Analysis ◽  
College Community ◽  
Multimodal Discourse ◽  
Disability Support ◽  
Semiotic Resources

This study examined the disability support offices (DSOs) websites of twelve US higher education institutions (HEIs) anchored in multimodal discourse analysis and genre analysis to examine how semiotic resources are deployed to describe DSO services on their websites and to determine the discursive functions of advertisement they perform. The DSO websites were within four clicks from HEI homepages but had inconsistent navigation paths, making it difficult to reach DSO websites. DSO websites were foregrounding promoting and branding the institutions rather than presenting the information about the services offered. This is achieved by using multimodal promotional rhetoric such as: (a) situating accessibility as central commodifiable attribute, (b) promoting the value of accessibility, (c) establishing the superiority of the institution, (d) constructing images of students with disabilities as empowered but dependent upon the DSO, and (e) situating students within a college community. Implications for DSO websites functioning as advertisements are also discussed.

scholarly journals Widening access to higher education for low-income students: a Brazilian case study (1990s-2016)

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
LEONARDO CIVINELLI TORNEL DA SILVEIRA
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Student Loans ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Access To Higher Education ◽  
Higher Education Access ◽  
Widening Access ◽  
Education Participation ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT This article analyses the widening access policies implemented by Brazil during the 1990s and in 2016. It cites and evaluates the different strategies used by the government, such as student loans, needs-based and race-based quotas. In the context of a highly privatized sector, in which for-profit higher education institutions account for over half of the existing higher education institutions in Brazil, the results display a relative growth in higher education access based on minorities and needs-based communities. However, it also showcases some trends not achieved as originally planned by the government (specially increasing higher education participation in regions other than the south and the southeast) and serves as a point requiring further research to evaluate the influence on the lives of students and graduates. This study uses government and publicly available sources to analyse the impact of this strategy over time.

scholarly journals Making Space in the Standards Agenda: Developing Inclusive Practices in Schools

2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 228-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Dyson ◽  
Frances Gallannaugh ◽  
Alan Millward
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Inclusive Practices ◽  
Policy Environment ◽  
Local Education ◽  
Way Of Thinking ◽  
The Way

In spite of the focus on inclusive education in recent years, there is a relative dearth of studies which explore the complexities of the move towards greater inclusion. This article seeks to redress this situation by reporting some interim findings from a three-year study of schools' attempts to develop more inclusive practices, involving teams of researchers from three higher education institutions working in partnership with 25 schools, in three local education authorities. The development took place within a national policy environment which focused heavily on the issue of ‘standards' narrowly defined. This article reports the way that this context helped to form schools' responses to inclusion and the ambiguities in these responses. It argues, however, that the view of schools' actions as entirely determined by this external agenda is as erroneous as the image of them battling heroically against it in the name of inclusive values. Rather, to a greater or lesser extent, schools tried or were impelled to find spaces within the ‘standards agenda’ where different values and priorities could be realised. The article outlines some of the factors which made this process more or less likely to occur and offers an important new way of thinking about the development of inclusive education.

scholarly journals Educación superior sin barreras: La accesibilidad de las universidades

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Alba Pastor
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Equal Access ◽  
Online Information ◽  
Access To Higher Education ◽  
Access To Education ◽  
Low Degree ◽  
Information And Communication

Higher Education institutions have developed online information services and degrees as an echo of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) incidence in all society fields. Equal access to education is a fundamental right; but equal access to higher education for people with disabilities is far from being achieved yet. To this inequality has to be added the difficulty of some groups to participate in the information society, the so called infoexclusion. The short number of students with disabilities in higher education makes evident the presence of barriers for this people to get into this educational level. One of them is the low degree of accessibility to digital services and studies offered by the Universities, something that can be considered a new kind of segregation.

scholarly journals Readiness of Higher Education Institutions Faculty Staff to Work in Inclusive Groups

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vadim N. Kozlov ◽  
Daria F. Romanenkova ◽  
Elena I. Salganova
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Teaching Staff ◽  
Russian Society ◽  
Sociological Study

Inclusive education is regarded as a valuable resource for the development of Russian society. Teachers play a distinctive role in its implementation. The study of this role is based on the principles of structural and functional and systemic approaches, as well as the sociology of education, the sociology of culture, pedagogy, psychology, and the monitoring of inclusive education. The empirical basis of the research was formed by the materials of a quantitative, representative sample and sociological study of the readiness of teachers of higher education institutions to work in inclusive groups, in which students with disabilities are studying. A total of 777 teachers from 23 universities in Sverdlovsk, Chelyabinsk, and Kurgan regions were interviewed in November 2019. The analysis showed that most teachers of higher education institutions support the idea of inclusive education, as well as are ready to work in inclusive groups and have a need for professional training on inclusive higher education. The overwhelming majority of teachers of higher education institutions in the region do not experience any particular psychological difficulties and methodological challenges in working with streams and groups with students with disabilities. Teachers with longstanding teaching experience, associate professors, professors, and people with good knowledge of inclusive education express a greater interest in working with inclusive groups. At the same time, a significant number of teachers of higher education institutions in the region do not support the idea of teaching people with disabilities in inclusive groups. Some teachers are not familiar with or lack knowledge in the concept of inclusive higher education, and they also point to psychological and methodological problems when working in inclusive groups, which is particularly characteristic of young teachers and those who have not taken advanced training on inclusive education. In order to increase the role and responsibility of the teaching staff in inclusive education, it is recommended to continue monitoring it by reaching out to every inclusive group, student, and teacher. Keywords: inclusive higher education, monitoring studies, teacher, student, people with disabilities

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