OER Accessibility for Students with Visual Disabilities in Higher Education in the Era of Open Knowledge
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2663-659X/15105Keywords:
open knowledge, visual disability, OER accessibility, inclusiveness, inclusive culture, higher education, open knowledge movement, open educational resources (OERs)Abstract
Open knowledge has the potential to expand inclusive and equitable access to lifelong learning while supporting social inclusion. However, there is low public awareness on issues around inclusiveness, especially for students with visual disabilities who are unable to use the medium of the sighted owing to the consequences of their disabilities. This article discusses various issues around the accessibility of open educational resources (OERs) and the integration of inclusive institutional culture in the Nigerian university system. An interpretive approach was adopted for this study. Out of 22 universities offering enrolment to students with visual disabilities in Nigeria, seven universities were purposively selected based on the availability of OERs on their websites. The purposive sampling method was also used to choose 30 participants from four out of the seven universities who could serve as key informants for the study. Data were collected using in-depth interviews. Data from interviews was designed to achieve qualitative analyses and results were analysed thematically. The study revealed strategies university libraries could deploy to improve access to OERs for students with visual disabilities and provided insightful thoughts and direction on re-imagining the future of the open knowledge movement in Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
Metrics
References
EdTech. 2015. “1EdTech Accessibility Specifications Overview: Accessibility.” 1EdTech, June 4, 2015. Accessed June 29, 2023. http://www.imsglobal.org/activity/accessibility
Adil, H. M., S. Ali, M. Sultan, M. Ashiq, and M. Rafiq. 2022. “Open Education Resources’ Benefits and Challenges in the Academic World: A Systematic Review.” Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-02-2022-0049 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-02-2022-0049
Alabi, A. O., and S. M. Mutula. 2020. “Digital Inclusion for Visually Impaired Students through Assistive Technologies in Academic Libraries.” Library Hi Tech News 37 (2): 14–17. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-11-2019-0081 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/LHTN-11-2019-0081
Alessandroni, N., and K. Byers-Heinlein. 2022. “Ten Strategies to Foster Open Science in Psychology and Beyond.” Collabra: Psychology 8 (1): 57545. https://doi.org/10.1525/collabra.57545 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/collabra.57545
Alexaki, N., X. Foulidi, and E. C. Papakitsos. 2022. “The Three Dimensions of Inclusive Education in the Attempt for Educational Change: Cultures, Policies and Practices.” Journal of Research Initiatives 6 (1): Article 5.
Amponsah, S., and T. A. Bekele. 2023. “Exploring Strategies for Including Visually Impaired Students in Online Learning.” Education and Information Technologies 28: 9355–9377. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11145-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-11145-x
Babayemi, F., A. Lujanac, M. Paone, and S. Skreblin. 2021. “The Importance of School Libraries in Open Schooling, Sustainable Development, and Outdoor Learning.” In IASL Annual Conference Proceedings (Denton, Texas): A Rich Tapestry of Practice and Research around the World. Alberta: University of Alberta Libraries. https://doi.org/10.29173/iasl8298 DOI: https://doi.org/10.29173/iasl8298
Beyene, W. M., A. T. Mekonnen, and G. A. Giannoumis. 2023. “Inclusion, Access, and Accessibility of Educational Resources in Higher Education Institutions: Exploring the Ethiopian Context.” International Journal of Inclusive Education 27 (1): 18–34. https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2020.1817580 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2020.1817580
Bonk, C. J., M. M. Lee, X. Kou, S. Xu, and F.-R. Sheu. 2015. “Understanding the Self-Directed Online Learning Preferences, Goals, Achievements, and Challenges of MIT OpenCourseWare Subscribers.” Journal of Educational Technology and Society 18 (2): 349–368.
Booth, T., and M. Ainscow. 2011. Index for Inclusion: Developing Learning and Participation in Schools. Bristol: Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE).
CAST. 2024. “About Universal Design for Learning.” Accessed January 15, 2023. https://www.cast.org/impact/universal-design-for-learning-udl#:~:text=Universal%20Design%20for%20Learning%20(UDL,insights%20into%20how%20humans%20learn
Coolidge, A., S. Doner, T. Robertson, and J. Gray. 2018. Accessibility Toolkit. 2nd ed. Edited by L. Aesoph and J. Gray. BCcampus. Accessed June 28, 2023. https://opentextbc.ca/accessibilitytoolkit/
do Nascimento, M. D., A. A. Brandão, L. de Oliveira Brandão, and F. C. de M. B. Oliveira. 2019. “Overcoming Accessibility Barriers for People with Severe Vision Impairment in Web-based Learning Environments: A Literature Review.” In Proceedings of 2019 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, 1–8. Piscataway: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE43999.2019.9028484 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE43999.2019.9028484
Dsouza, F. 2021. “Awareness and Use of Open Educational Resources: A Study.” Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal) 6570. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/6570/
Hashim, N. L., M. S. B. Matraf, and A. Hussain. 2021. “Identifying the Requirements of Visually Impaired Users for Accessible Mobile E-book Applications.” JOIV: International Journal on Informatics Visualization 5 (2): 99–104. https://doi.org/10.30630/joiv.5.2.398 DOI: https://doi.org/10.30630/joiv.5.2.398
Hylén, J., n.d. “Open Educational Resources: Opportunities and Challenges.” Accessed January 11, 2022. https://www.oecd.org/education/ceri/37351085.pdf
Igwe, K. N. 2020. “Exploring the Literature on Utilization of Open Educational Resources in Nigeria: Current Context, Potential Determinants, and Future Pathways.” In Challenges and Opportunities of Open Educational Resources Management, edited by S. Thanuskodi, 24–39. Hershey: IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-3559-2.ch002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-3559-2.ch002
Iiyoshi, T., and M. S. V. Kumar, eds. 2010. Opening up Education: The Collective Advancement of Education through Open Technology, Open Content, and Open Knowledge. Massachusetts: The MIT Press.
Judith, K., and D. Bull. 2016. “Assessing the Potential for Openness: A Framework for Examining Course-Level OER Implementation in Higher Education.” Education Policy Analysis Archives/Archivos Analíticos de Políticas Educativas 24 (42): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.24.1931 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.24.1931
Komolafe-Opadeji, H., and Y. Haliso. 2012. “Defective Information Services in Nigeria’s Academic Libraries: Is Marketing the Way Forward.” Ozean Journal of Social Sciences 5 (3): 79–86.
Kiruki, B. W., and S. M. Mutula. 2021. “Accessibility and Usability of Library Websites to Students with Visual and Physical Disabilities in Public Universities in Kenya.” International Journal of Knowledge Content Development and Technology 11 (2): 55–68. https://koreascience.kr/article/JAKO202119061994695.page
Majeed, Z. 2018. “Usability and Accessibility of OERs and MOOCs among Students with Special Needs in Open and Distance Learning.” Pakistan Journal of Distance and Online Learning 4 (1): 63–80.
Marghalani, A., and C. York. 2021. “Online Courses Accessibility for Low-Vision.” Distance Learning 18 (3): 1–13.
Mazurek, K., and M. Winzer. 2015. “Intersections of Education for All and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Explaining the Conflicting International Cadences of Inclusive Schooling.” International Dialogues on Education: Past and Present 2 (2). https://doi.org/10.53308/ide.v2i2.190 DOI: https://doi.org/10.53308/ide.v2i2.190
Mishra, S. 2017. “Open Educational Resources: Removing Barriers from Within.” Distance Education 38 (3): 369–380. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2017.1369350 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2017.1369350
Mncube, V., B. E. Olawale, and C. Bitso. 2021. “Democratisation of Knowledge through Open Educational Resources: Opportunities and Challenges at a South African University.” In Global Education Network 2021, South Africa, Conference Proceedings, edited by E. O. Adu, M. Fabunmi and V. Mncube, 207–220. Global Education Network. https://globaledunet.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/GEN-FINAL-1.pdf
Montenegro‐Rueda, M., J. M. Fernández‐Batanero, and J. Fernández‐Cerero. 2023. “Impact of ICT on University Students with Visual Impairment.” British Journal of Special Education 50 (1): 28–48. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12433 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8578.12433
Moon, J., and Y. Park. 2021. “A Scoping Review on Open Educational Resources to Support Interactions of Learners with Disabilities.” International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning 22 (2): 314–341. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v22i1.5110 DOI: https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v22i1.5110
Navarrete, R., and S. Luján-Mora. 2015. “OER-Based Learning and People with Disabilities.” In Proceedings of 2015 International Conference on Interactive Collaborative and Blended Learning (ICBL), 25–34. Piscataway: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICBL.2015.7387646 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICBL.2015.7387646
Ngubane-Mokiwa, S. A., and J. N. Zongozzi. 2021. “Exclusion Reloaded: The Chronicles of COVID-19 on Students with Disabilities in a South African Open Distance Learning Context.” Journal of Intellectual Disability—Diagnosis and Treatment 9 (1): 137–147. https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2021.09.01.17 DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2021.09.01.17
Obinyan, O. O., C. K. Okoroafor, and L.N. Ezenwuzor 2023. “Students’ Awareness and Use of Open Educational Resources (OERS) in Selected Universities: Implication for Policy Studies.” International Journal of Research and Review 10 (6): 155–163. https://www.ijrrjournal.com/IJRR_Vol.10_Issue.6_June2023/IJRR18.pdf DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20230618
Ogunbodede, K. F., and M. Atique. 2023. “Usability of Open Educational Resources Platforms among Students of Al Kabir Polytechnic, Jamshedpur, India: A Case Study.” Asian Journal of Information Science and Technology (AJIST) 13 (1): 1–7. https://doi.org/10.51983/ajist-2023.13.1.3384 DOI: https://doi.org/10.51983/ajist-2023.13.1.3384
Ogunbodede, K. F., I. M. Nwachokor, and R. N. Aminikpo. 2021. “Awareness and Use of Open Educational Resources by Academic Staff of Federal College of Education Technical Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.” Rivers State University Journal of Education 24 (1): 144–153.
Okamoto, K. 2013. “Making Higher Education More Affordable, One Course Reading at a Time: Academic Libraries as Key Advocates for Open Access Textbooks and Educational Resources.” Public Services Quarterly 9 (4): 267–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228959.2013.842397 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15228959.2013.842397
Pless, N., and T. Maak. 2004. “Building an Inclusive Diversity Culture: Principles, Processes and Practice.” Journal of Business Ethics 54: 129–147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-004-9465-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-004-9465-8
Qaiser, U., M. Khan and A. Tariq. 2021. “Design Thinking for Visually Impaired Individuals: A System Review of the Solutions and Future Directions.” In Proceedings of 1st International Conference on Business, Management and Social Sciences (ICBMASS) 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3916812 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3916812
Sanchez-Gordon, S., and S. Luján-Mora. 2014. “Web Accessibility Requirements for Massive Open Online Courses: Can MOOCs Be Really Universal and Open to Anyone?” Paper presented at Actas del V Congreso Internacional sobre Calidad y Accesibilidad de la Formación Virtual (CAFVIR 2014), Antigua, Guatemala. Accessed July 20, 2023. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264047262_Web_Accessibility_Requirements_for_Massive_Open_Online_Courses_Can_MOOCs_be_really_universal_and_open_to_anyone
Schein, E. H., and P. Schein. 2017. Organizational Culture and Leadership. Hoboken: Wiley. https://doi.org/10.15358/9783800656608 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15358/9783800656608
Stracke, C. M., A. Bozkurt, R. McGreal, and O. Zawacki-Richter. 2023. “Open Educational Resources and Their Global Needs, Benefits and Practices: The Call for a Future Research Agenda.” Bulletin of the Technical Committee on Learning Technology 23 (1): 20–23. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372138870_Open_Educational_Resources_and_their_global_needs_benefits_and_practices_The_call_for_a_future_research_agenda
W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). 2005. “WCAG 2 Overview.” Updated October 5, 2023. https://www.w3.org/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/
Zaid, Y. A., and A. O. Alabi. 2021. “Sustaining Open Educational Resources (OER) Initiatives in Nigerian Universities.” Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning 36 (2): 181–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680513.2020.1713738 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02680513.2020.1713738
Zhang, X., A. Tlili, F. Nascimbeni, D. Burgos, R. Huang, T.-W. Chang, M. Jemni, and M. K. Khribi. 2020. “Accessibility within Open Educational Resources and Practices for Disabled Learners: A Systematic Literature Review.” Smart Learning Environments 7: 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-019-0113-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-019-0113-2
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Accepted 2023-12-15
Published 2024-02-07
