Challenges faced by students with visual impairment in accessing online learning during covid-19 in Makerere University

Abstract

The study focused on challenges faced by students with visual impairment at makerere university in accessing online learning during covid-19. The study was descriptive and used a qualitative approach. Interviews were conducted with ten participants including students with visual impairment and their respective guides. The findings presented the experiences of visually impaired learners with online learning during the covid-19 lockdown as being both positive and negative. The study also presented threats and challenges experienced by visually impaired learners with regard to online learning during covid-19 lockdown and these include poor attitude by parents, limited opportunities for interaction. Limited capacity of participants on online applications, incompatible software, complicated applications, lack of gadgets, inadequate skills and limited financial resources. The study findings also presented opportunities for learning that were accessible to visually impaired learners during the covid -19 lockdown and these included support from friends, support from family, supportive lecturers and provision of counselling and guidance by family to visually impaired students. The study also indicate student’s perspectives about makerere university’s actions to support online learning that is lack of training and positive aspects are in lecturer actions to support learning