A Narrative Inquiry Into the Experiences of University Students with Visual Impairments: The Effects of People, Institutions, and Technology in Supporting Learning

"And BAM. You Have a Connection”: Blind/Partially Blind Students and the Belonging in Academia Model

“…Moreover, disabled students associate belonging with perceived social acceptance and support from faculty and peers (Hewett et al, 2017;Vaccaro et al, 2015). Blind/partially blind students experience difficulty engaging in social and learning aspects of academia related to negative attitudes from peers (Frank et al, 2020;Lourens, 2015) and instructors (Foy, 2019;Frank et al, 2020;Ostrowski, 2016). These negative attitudes are characterized by lack of understanding about, low expectations from, pity for, discomfort around, avoidance of, staring at, and patronizing blind/partially blind students (Benoit et al, 2013;Chan et al, 2009;Foy, 2019;Frank et al, 2020;Lourens, 2015;Ostrowski, 2016;Perkins School for the Blind, 2016;Strnadová et al, 2015).…”

“…Blind/partially blind students experience difficulty engaging in social and learning aspects of academia related to negative attitudes from peers (Frank et al, 2020;Lourens, 2015) and instructors (Foy, 2019;Frank et al, 2020;Ostrowski, 2016). These negative attitudes are characterized by lack of understanding about, low expectations from, pity for, discomfort around, avoidance of, staring at, and patronizing blind/partially blind students (Benoit et al, 2013;Chan et al, 2009;Foy, 2019;Frank et al, 2020;Lourens, 2015;Ostrowski, 2016;Perkins School for the Blind, 2016;Strnadová et al, 2015). Overwhelming evidence suggests that disabled students perceive attitudes encountered in academia as a major barrier to their full participation and that "inclusion" cannot be limited to access, but must also involve factors such as belonging (Bulk et al, 2017;Claiborne et al, 2011;Coriale et al, 2012;Easterbrook et al, 2015;Foy, 2019;Frank et al, 2020;Hong et al, 2015;Hong & Himmel, 2009;Hopkins, 2011;Liasidou, 2014;Marshak et al, 2010;Moriña et al, 2015;Mullins & Preyde, 2013;Ostrowski, 2016;Shevlin et al, 2004;Strnadová et al, 2015).…”