The Role of E-Learning and Digital Libraries in Providing Equal Educational Opportunities for Students with Physical Disabilities in Higher Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63062/trt/V24.029Keywords:
E-learning, Digital Libraries, Educational Opportunities, Student, Physical Disabilities, Higher Education, Educational Inequities, Socio-economic ChallengesAbstract
Capitalizing on the use of e-learning platforms and digital libraries has emerged as one strategic way to bring students with physical disabilities caught up in present educational inequities. This study explores the role they play in improving accessibility, usability, and academic outcomes based on the Universal Design for Learning. The research also finds out there are things that do make a difference, namely closed captioning, screen readers, and remote access. Nevertheless, their effect is hindered by barriers such as poor accessibility features, absence of technical support, and socio-economic challenges. With a mixed method approach, this study gets the students', educators', and developers' pieces of the puzzle in evaluating the accessibility of these tools, uncovering challenges, and proposing improvements. However, results suggest that although much has been achieved, there is still a digital divide, and non-institutional policies have persisted. The strength of the study is that it emphasizes the importance of standardized accessibility features, a robust institutional framework, and global action to counter systemic barriers, which provide a blueprint for more inclusive education environments.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Dr. Zahid Hussain Sahito, Dr. Ghulam Ali Kerio, Dr. Farzana Jabeen Khoso
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