Exploring the Challenges of Digital Literacy among Students with Visual Impairment Studying at Higher Education Level

Abstract

Education is the beacon for every human around the globe. Students with visual impairment are also supposed to be part of the quality learning process. This is a great expedition for students with visual impairment to study at graduate or post-graduate levels in the recent wake of digital literacy. Meeting the academic needs of students with visual impairment in this era of the digital world requires a sufficient level of technological resources along with mastery to use them. This study aims to explore the challenges faced by students with visual impairment in digital literacy studying at the graduate and post-graduate levels.  A total number of 85 students with a visual impairment from graduate-level (N=50), post-graduate level, and above (35=50) were taken as a sample of this study. A questionnaire was developed as a tool of this study based on three main components. Statistical data were analyzed with IBM version22. Both the descriptive and inferential statistical analysis techniques were used to analyze the data. Frequencies and percentages of the responses along with the Mann-Whitney test were performed to analyze the data. The findings of the research showed that owning a basic level of digital literacy skills and a lack of advanced digital devices/resources causes challenges in academics for visually impaired students. It is recommended strongly that students with visual impairment must be provided with adequate and latest assistive technological facilities to enhance their digital skills and combat the challenges of digital literacy.