The Challenges Experienced by Visually Impaired Students in Moroccan Universities

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the challenges and barriers faced by visually impaired students in an educational environment, particularly in Moroccan universities. To identify these challenges and barriers, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 visually impaired students from the majority of Moroccan universities to explain the challenges these students experienced in their studies, mainly during the exam. Equally important, this research examines the impact of these challenges on the academic performance of this kind of population with disabilities in Morocco. The study found that visually impaired students experienced four main challenges in Moroccan Universities: administrative, academic, environmental, and social difficulties. Based on these findings, a set of recommendations to Moroccan policymakers was made to respond properly to the needs of persons with disabilities and deal with the challenges that visually impaired students face when learning and taking exams in higher education regularly. Indeed, this research will play a crucial role in raising the awareness of Moroccan universities about the meaning of inclusive education and the importance of creating an inclusive and diverse environment in which visually impaired students can lean equally as their non-visually impaired peers can.