The difficulties faced by students with disabilities at the University of Jordan from their point of view

Abstract

The present study deals with administrative, academic, environmental and social difficulties faced by students with disabilities at the University of Jordan, As well as to identify the general characteristics of those students enrolled at the university for the academic year 2014/2015. The study data were collected using questionnaires filled during personal interviews with a sample of students, selected randomly, using social survey methodology totaling (81) students who represent 19% of the total number registered in the Student Counseling Department at Deanship of Student Affairs. The questionnaire was developed according to a five-numbered scale. Results were analyzed using the SPSS program. Descriptive statistics were provided to describe data. The results of the current study indicate that students with disabilities encounter many administrative difficulties in registration procedures due to the lack of academic guidance and inadequate procedures, in addition to learning difficulties such as competing with non-disabled students, performance during examinations and difficulties in comprehending the educational material. Furthermore, there are environmental difficulties in the form of: the lack of adequate reading holes at the library, difficulties in participating in university activities, lake of accessibility on sidewalks. Social difficulties are also present in the form of: failure to get teachers’ assistant concerning their circumstances and the negative attitudes of their non-disabled colleagues. Results show no statistically significant differences in difficulties encountered by students attributed to the variables: sex, place of residence and faculty. There are also statistically significant differences attributed to educational level in favor of the fourth year only, and to the type of disability in the area of environmental difficulties in favor of physical disability only. The study proposed a number of recommendations including: work more on accessibility issues at the university environment to accommodate students with disabilities and to amend certain laws and regulations at the university to meets their needs.