My university experiences as an ally to disabled people in Ghana: An autoethnography
Loading...
Date
2023-08-17
Authors
Peterson, Ruth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Disability is socially constructed through constraints and challenges in the society that disabled people encountered in an effort to live an independent life. In recent years, university campuses have witnessed more disabled students been enrolled in and graduated from post-secondary schools. Despite the increase, most students with disabilities hardly have access to support services. In Ghana, disability is generally perceived as exceptional medical condition that requires special support services and intervention in the society. This current study examines the situation of disabled students in the University of Cape Coast. I share my stories on how students with disabilities in the University of Cape Coast utilize the available support services. I adopted an autoethnography to share the imbalance between the support services claimed by university authorities to be available for students with disabilities and the accessibility support services utilized by students with disabilities. My stories confirmed the daily experiences and persistent practices of oppression, stigma, and social exclusion where disabled students are denied access to the right to benefit from post-secondary institutions in Ghana. I conclude by offering some recommendations that can help resolve the identified challenges encountered by disabled students in utilizing the available support services. The current study provides recommendations on the need to provide inclusive and transformed physical environments to enhance collaborative online learning on university campuses in Ghana. It also encourages university authorities to increase education and skills training for disabled students to enhance their employability skills.
Description
Keywords
Student with Disabilities, Autoethnography, University of Cape Coast