Perspective Chapter: The Barriers in Inclusive Set-Up for Students with Visual Impairment at Higher Education Level – Pakistan Scenario

Abstract

Higher education is contemplated for visually impaired students as a high standard of education towards apex professions in life. Students with visual impairment experience numerous barriers related to their social and educational life. This chapter intends to the barriers at the higher education level that visually impaired students experience in Pakistan. It also includes a brief introduction to the basic concept of inclusive education and the importance of higher education for visually impaired students. This chapter also identifies the needs and the difficulties, which visually impaired students face at the higher education level. Furthermore, the chapter reflects the status of inclusive education at the higher education level in Pakistan. The commitment of Pakistan to inclusive education has been described in this chapter. The solution to overcome the barriers has also been mentioned in this chapter. The chapter contains the future of inclusive education in Pakistan at the higher education level. The chapter recommends accessible infrastructure, training and orientation sessions for teachers, development of resource centres at all higher education institutes in Pakistan, provision of free assistive devices to visually impaired students and project-based initiative by the higher education commission of Pakistan.