University Processes of Students with Visual Impairments Taking Distance Education

ABSTRACT

This research aims to reveal the reasons why students with visual impairments (VI) prefer distance education, their experiences in the distance education process, and their expectations after university graduation. For this purpose, a study was conducted with seven university students with VI. The research employed a case study method, with data collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using content analysis techniques. This analysis determined that distance education posed both various difficulties and created a multitude of advantages for students with VI. Elements of accessibility and support services offered by universities played a vital role in both the positive and negative experiences of students with VI in distance education. Additionally, this study found that students with VI held a variety of expectations for themselves and society after university graduation. The study results are discussed in terms of future research and practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Visual impairments
• distance education
• university students
• university processes
• experiences of students

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tahsin Firat

Tahsin Firat is is an expert in the field of special education. He has a doctorate in special education and is an Associate Professor at Adiyaman University. His major research interests include students with learning disabilities; the peer relationships of young people and social acceptation of special education needs. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3577-7907

Ahmet Bildiren

Ahmet Bildiren is an expert in the field of special education. He has an undergraduate degree in primary education, a master’s degree in psychological counseling and a doctorate in special education. He has also carried out a number of research studies on gifted children. http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3021-4299