Visually impaired students in both face-to-face and e-learning

Abstract

Visual impairments present significant obstacles for students in their everyday lives, particularly in academic settings. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has only heightened the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. However, instructors have been using a variety of teaching methods, both in-person and online, to better support visually impaired students. These approaches have yielded positive impacts on students' social, physiological, and educational development. Nevertheless, there are also drawbacks associated with both methods, which this study seeks to explore and overcome. The researchers conducted this research during the second semester of the 2022/2023 academic year in Hebron University. In order to achieve the aims of the study, the researchers utilized qualitative techniques such as WhatsApp interviews to gather comprehensive data. They collected the data from six participants who voluntarily accepted to participate in the interviews. The study found that students enjoyed several advantages of online learning, such as easy access to course materials and effective communication with their instructors. However, they also encountered several challenges such as lack of support from the government, inadequate training for teachers, and insufficient knowledge about their rights as online learners. The researchers attempted to address the underlying causes of these issues. Based on the findings, the researchers proposed potential solutions to effectively address these issues and enhance the learning experience for visually impaired students.