The Triumph of Visually Impaired Students in National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN): True Students’ Life Stories

Abstract

Many students within and outside Nigeria have embraced Open Distance Learning (ODL) based on the fact that it is flexible, affordable, convenience and nearer to students. The inclusion of visually impaired students in the programme has been uncompromising in the area of admission and academic support services to them. However, many of these visually impaired students in the study centres experience some uphill tasks on ways in which they navigate the geography of the university and also engaged in academic activities. On the basis of the above, three research questions were raised to explain ways they explore the university environment and academic activity. Qualitative research method was adopted, interpretive paradigm used to make sense of the narrative by these participants. Twelve visually impaired students and two officers were purposively selected to give account of what and how they navigated the university geography while carrying out programmes. Semi-structure interview was used as an instrument for the gathering of data. Similarly, data gathered was transcribed, coded, and the themes were analysed using narrative analysis. Findings indicated that visually impaired students found it difficult to navigate the local geography of the study centres. Furthermore, they were able to get unqualifiable support services from staff which made to succeed in their academics. It was therefore recommended among others that the geography of the study centres should be friendly for them to use.