Poster Presentation (Core time: 11:45-12:45)

[1R14] Perception of Students with Disability on Inclusivity in Higher Educational Institutes of Bangladesh

*Sheikh Rashid Bin ISLAM¹ (1. Kobe University)

Keywords:Students with Disability, Persons with Disability, Inclusive Education, Higher Educational Institutes, Bangladesh

Education is a basic human right. Unfortunately, many are deprived of this human right due to discrimination towards groups of individuals at various levels of education. One particular group which is the most discriminated against are persons with disability (PWD). However, due to the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the growing importance of inclusivity, more countries are trying to ensure inclusivity in education. Despite the effort, the perception of students with disability (SWD) regarding the effectiveness of inclusivity is often ignored. This issue is even more severe for SWD in higher educational institutes (HEIs) of developing countries. One such country, which faces a similar plight is Bangladesh. Where close to little work has been done on the matter, leaving both a knowledge and empirical gap. Consequently, this study hopes to fill this research gap, by answering two questions. The first being, how is the contemporary state of inclusivity in HEIs of Bangladesh, and how does this state affect the SWD? While later being, how can HEIs of Bangladesh better incorporate an inclusive educational environment for SWD? An exploratory sequential designed mixed methodology is used, where primary data is collected using interviews and surveys. A sample size of 68 has been selected considering a confidence level of 90% and precision of ±10. Qualitative data has been analyzed thematically, while quantitative data has been analyzed descriptively and inferentially. The study found that most HEIs in Bangladesh have not been able to uphold their role of ensuring inclusivity for SWD. Subsequently, the study also found that this lack of inclusivity has negatively affected the freedom of choice for degree programs and universities, learning outcomes, and academic achievement of the SWD. The study concludes by emphasizing the recommendations laid down by the SWD for better inclusivity in HEIs of Bangladesh.