Staff Correspondent

Visually impaired students in Bangladesh confront significant challenges in accessing digital technology for higher education, reveals a recent study conducted by the Visually Impaired People's Society (VIPS), a leading organization dedicated to safeguarding the rights of visually impaired individuals.

As educational platforms increasingly embrace digitalization, these students encounter obstacles hindering their academic progress, it said.

The study, titled "Challenges and Barriers Faced by Visually Impaired Students in Harnessing Technology for Higher Education: A Perspective of Bangladesh," sheds light on the pervasive barriers faced by visually impaired students in navigating digital platforms for their educational needs.

Conducted among visually impaired students enrolled in college and universities across Bangladesh, the research underscores the pressing need for inclusive measures to facilitate their access to higher education.

Key findings from the study underscore the urgency of addressing these barriers. Among them, a notable 52.11% of visually impaired students encounter difficulties in acquiring necessary technology due to financial constraints. Furthermore, a staggering 92.96% of students report not receiving appropriate learning materials, while 91.55% express concerns about the lack of skilled instructors.

Additionally, language and technological barriers impede the academic pursuits of 35.21% and 53.52% of students, respectively. Alarmingly, 83% of students struggle to access digital content tailored to their needs.

In response to these findings, the study advocates for proactive measures to promote inclusivity in higher education.

Recommendations include comprehensive teacher training programs, establishment of assistive technology resource centers within universities, and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to develop inclusive educational policies.

The research was conducted by Ms. Razmin Imroz, Mr. Md Arif Hosen and Ms. Muntaha Farin.

The study's findings were unveiled at an awareness town hall meeting organized by VIPS, in collaboration with the Manusher Jonno Foundation, at the Liberation War Museum, Agargaon in the capital city recently.

Distinguished attendees, including Dr. Mohammad Moktar Hossain, Director (Social Safety) of the Social Services Department, and Musherraf Hossain Mazumder, President of VIPS, emphasized the imperative of inclusive education in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Stakeholders at the event emphasized the transformative potential of inclusive education, highlighting its role in empowering visually impaired students to become active contributors to Bangladesh's socio-economic development.

The meeting underscored the collective responsibility of all stakeholders in ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of inclusive higher education.

The study received support from the Youth Engagement in Democracy (YED) project of the Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and technical assistance from Global Research and Marketing (GRM).