Opinions of Visually Impaired Students About the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Higher Education in Terms Of Academic and Social Adaptations

Abstract

This study aims to examine the opinions of visually impaired students who continue higher education about the use of information and communication technologies in higher education institutions where they continue their education. Embedded single case design, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the study. The students who continue higher education in the state or foundation universities in different regions and provinces of Turkey were chosen based on the voluntary participation principle using the purposive sampling method. 30 visually impaired undergraduate students who received education in the 2019-2020 fall-spring and 2020-2021 fall terms and were volunteers to participate in the study form the participant group of the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online or on the telephone with the participants. The data obtained were analyzed using the content analysis. The findings obtained in the study are "Legal regulations, monitoring, and assessment, Full participation based on the right to education, Accessibility, Technology use based on the universal design, Effective communication and coordination" main themes. Including technological features that make life easier and more accessible will contribute to the fulfillment of roles and responsibilities expected from individuals in professional life as required by age.