A preliminary study on visually impaired students in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

This article problematizes the status of the visually impaired students in Bangladesh under the COVID-19 global pandemic. We inquire into two inter-related questions: (a) what level and quality of technological access does a visually impaired student have in their higher education institution (e.g. a university or government-affiliated college operating under a university)? And, (b) how are these students coping academically under the pandemic? Our preliminary study employed mixed methods for data collection, encompassing a quantitative survey questionnaire followed by qualitative phone interviews. We reached out to approximately 15 male and female students enrolled in public and private higher educational institutions in the country. The findings will be instrumental to initiate a collaborative discussion among academics and practitioners in the government, non-government and private sectors in the country and around the Global South.