6th Africa Forum, Kampala, Uganda

Globalization and Higher Education of the Visually Impaired -An Inclusive Approach

Dr. A. K. Aneja, AICB/WBU/Delhi University, India.

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While the significance of comprehensive education as a means to ensure a meaningful life is valid for all, it is more relevant for persons with visual impairment since knowledge and skills are important in providing additional empowerment to them. Realizing this critical role of education in the lives of PIV, there are salient international initiatives to ensure quality education in schools for this marginalized sector. However, this paper holds that adequate attention has not been paid towards quality higher education (QHE) for persons with visual impairment , resulting in significant gaps impacting employment and life-skills in many instances. The paper further argues that while globalization and technology are generally seen to be opening fresh opportunities in higher education for persons with visual impairment , these very developments have posed fresh challenges. With UNCRPD and other international documents at the centre, the paper hopes to foreground some strategies by some universities and NGOs in India to make tertiary education accessible, inclusive and comprehensive for persons with visual impairment. Some of these strategies may serve as modules for replication in other developing countries as well.

Promoting Braille Literacy in Schools (Regal Hall)