ERIC Number: EJ1452176
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-3116
EISSN: EISSN-1464-5173
Enablers and Barriers to Equitable Participation for Students with Blindness or Low Vision in Australian Mainstream Secondary Schools
International Journal of Inclusive Education, v28 n14 p3470-3486 2024
A global commitment to inclusive education through policies and legislation has been espoused to provide equitable access to the curriculum for students with disability. Recent evidence suggests, however, that for students with blindness or low vision (BLV), the visual nature of the curriculum means that content can be inaccessible. This study explored the barriers and enablers that students with BLV encounter when engaging with the curriculum. Empirical data was collected through semi-structured interviews with six students with BLV in Australian mainstream secondary schools. The interviews were analysed to determine the factors that influenced equitable access and participation. The analysis uncovered a number of themes, including access to curriculum materials, support from classroom teachers, support from specialist educators and familiarity with, and use of assistive technologies. The results of this study demonstrated that more professional development is needed for teachers and other stakeholders to prepare students with BLV to participate in learning 'on the same basis' as their peers without disability.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Equal Education, Secondary School Students, Blindness, Visual Impairments, Mainstreaming, Accessibility (for Disabled), Student Participation, Students with Disabilities, Student Attitudes, Assistive Technology, Academic Accommodations (Disabilities), Access to Education, Curriculum, Thinking Skills, Career Readiness
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A