Improving Access to Qualitative Education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): How National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Could Key in

Abstract

This paper investigates how access to qualitative education for persons with disabilities (PWDs) can be improved through the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN). The paper is anchored on Moore's theory of distance education. It employs qualitative survey research and findings show that majority of respondents believe that NOUN can fast-track access to education for PWDs. Also, the majority of respondents are of the opinion that one of the fastest means of removing the stigma against PWDs is their inclusiveness and integration through their unfettered access to Open and Distance Learning (ODL). However, the majority of the respondents are of the belief that PWDs may face challenges in accessing ODL due to endemic poverty and cultural distortions. The paper, therefore, concludes with recommendations for advocacy on the importance of ODL for the education of the PWDs as well as for the government to provide enabling environment to support ODL education in Nigeria by institutionalizing ODL education for PWDs. It also recommends the improvement and development of relevant information and communications technology (ICT) and more open educational resources (OER) for accessibility and inclusion of PWDs in ODL education delivery architecture. They must be combined with appropriate content and pedagogy as well as legislation to institutionalize the education of PWDs through ODL as offered by NOUN.