CHALLENGES FACED BY STUDENTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS OF KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Abstract

Students with physical disabilities encounter numerous challenges during their academic endeavors, especially in higher education institutions (HEIs), which hinder their academic and social integration. This study aimed to identify the extrinsic and intrinsic challenges faced by these students with physical disabilities in HEIs across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. The population of the study was M.Phil and Ph.D graduates and Ph.D enrolled in public sector universities. The snowball sampling technique was used to draw samples for the study, due to the limited population of students with physical disabilities in KP’s HEIs. The sample size consists of 34 students with physical disabilities. The study employed quantitative design, utilizing a self-developed three-point Likert-scale questionnaire as the research tool for data collection. The questionnaire encompassed various dimensions, including physical accessibility, institutional support, academic accommodations, social inclusion, and psychological challenges. The survey method was used to collect data from students with physical disabilities. The main findings of the research were that students with disabilities face infrastructural, social, financial, psychological and health related challenges due to their disabilities in higher education. Policymakers must enforce accessibility standards, provide assistive technologies, train staff, offer financial and implementation of HEC policy and Pakistan disability act 2020 in true spirit. This study recommended that universities and policymakers understand and reduce these barriers.