Success among blind students in Kenya: the case of Kenyatta University
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Date
2014-07
Authors
Oranga, Josephne
Chege, Fatuma N.
Mugo, John Kabutha
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nairobi Academic Press
Abstract
Notably research effort on education of persons with visual impairments has been expended
On primary and secondary schooling. However, the research from which this paper is developed
ventured into a relatively less researched area, namely the university education sector as part of
a larger study that sought to interrogate outcomes of education for persons with disability. The
analysis maintains a positive focus t9'interrogate the resilient social factors salient in the success
stories of the insignificant population of learners with blindness that make it to the University
in Kenya. A biographical approach was utilized to document accounts of five female and
five male Kenyatta University students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Data were
analyzed with help of Atlas ti. The study establishes that forging of social relationships, self
advocacy, pursuing a level of independence; social agency and assertiveness reflect the key
social strategies of success for blind students who have successfully transitioned to university.
It is subsequently recommended that parents and teachers should pursue strong sibling and
peer support for learners with blindness •to help increase their confidence, influence higher
aspirations and increase chances for transition to higher education.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Social Barriers, Visual Impairments, Transition, Emancipation in Disability, Kenya
Citation
Journal of special needs and disabilities studies vol. vol. no. 1 p.77-88. 1 July 2013