Availability, awareness, and utilization of assistive technologies among students with visual impairment: The case of Haramaya University, Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the availability, awareness, and utilization of assistive technologies among students with visual impairment (SVIs) in higher education institutions in Ethiopia by taking one of the oldest universities in the country as a case. To this end, the study employed instrumental case study design. Five undergraduate SVIs, two special needs educators, an AT service-delivery facilitator, and the resource center coordinator were purposively selected from Haramaya University. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and an observation checklist. The collected data were analyzed by using thematic analysis method and three overarching themes were generated inductively: knowledge and understanding about assistive technologies, availability and access to assistive technology devices and services, and utilization and management of assistive technologies. The study findings show that a lack of awareness among SVIs, instructors, and practitioners in the field; an improper organizational arrangement that dichotomize and diverge student disability services provision from trained professionals in the area; and the absence of policies and guidelines for managing assistive technologies had a negative impact on the availability and utilization of assistive technologies in the University. Thus, it is recommend that the University management, special needs educators, and other concerned stakeholders devise a means to equitably avail assistive technology devices and services for SVIs in the University accompanied by a planned training on its utilization and a coordinated management for sustainability of service delivery.