Problems of distance learning for students with disabilities in a pandemic

T.V. Gudina,O.L. Lekhanova,O.A. Denisova,A.I. Savenkov

doi:10.1051/shsconf/20208700044

Abstract

The article considers the problems of distance learning for students with disabilities during a pandemic. The survey was organized and conducted to reveal the attitude to distance learning and determine the challenges encountered. During the survey, the disabled students’ satisfaction with distance learning during the pandemic was assessed, the advantages and difficulties they faced during the period of quarantine study were identified. The survey involved the students with visual, hearing and movement impairments, as well as the students with limited mobility and the disabled students with systemic diseases. All the students study at Russian universities located on the territory of 8 constituent entities of the North-West Federal District (Arkhangelsk region, Vologda region, Kaliningrad region, Murmansk region, Novgorod region, Pskov region, Republic of Karelia, Republic of Komi). The total of 230 respondents took part in the survey. The article analyzes the disabled students’ response to the quarantine caused by the pandemic, and also describes the specificity and severity of the problems depending on the kind of the students’ health limitations. The analysis of the responses allowed us to conclude that the problems of the socio-psychological (low self-motivation and self-organization, fatigue, low mood, lack of live communication) and technical (the problems with the Internet communication and distance learning platforms) come to the fore. The identified difficulties allowed the authors to make a list of recommendations to be used when organizing distance learning for students with disabilities. The proposed recommendations imply the application of the practice of permanent psychological-pedagogical and socio-psychological support for the education of students with disabilities.

Highlights

Students with disabilities are among those who, even under usual conditions of a university study, face great obstacles and barriers, since the support and learning tools they need are not always available [5], [6]
The existing achievements in digital technologies aimed at meeting specific needs of disabled students, allow us to define it as one of the central issues of modern social, humanitarian and pedagogical knowledge [7], [8], [9]
It is important to assess the attitude of disabled students to distance learning during the pandemic and their personal gains and losses are not studied

Summary

A problem statement

The pandemic period and forced self-isolation have entailed new social and psychological phenomena, the advantages and difficulties unusual for people living out of quarantine. Taking into account the current situation, the issue of difficulties experienced by students with disabilities in distance and online education during a pandemic acquires a new research and social meaning. It is important to assess the attitude of disabled students to distance learning during the pandemic and their personal gains and losses are not studied. The absence of such data does not allow developing reasonable recommendations on distance learning for students with disabilities, though it infringes on their rights equal opportunities in education reducing the chance for positive socialization and successful integration into society. The authors' experience in organizing and implementing the work of the Center for Supporting Students with Disabilities at the University [10], [11], [12], [13], [14] made it possible to take into account the existing developments of the federal network of Resource educational and methodological centers for teaching people with disabilities in the Russian Federation universities when conducting research and developing recommendations

The objective of the work

Materials and the results of the research

Conclusions

Findings

Stranger Things