Students with Disabilities of Higher Education in Nepal during a Pandemic

Authors

  • Ruma Manandhar
  • Uttam Gaulee

Keywords:

Students with disabilities (STDs), Pandemic, Phenomenology, Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), key participants

Abstract

 This mixed-method study explores the conditions of students with disabilities in Nepal during the pandemic. The findings reveal some unique challenges students face with disabilities (SwDs) during the pandemic. The most pressing challenge was identified as the financial challenge. Other challenges included transportation, social and attitudinal issues, and inadequate teaching and learning materials in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) for SwDs, particularly the incompatibility of the infrastructure of HEIs, with little or no accommodation for STDs. Recommendations are offered for the improvement of an inclusive education environment. Based on the challenges experienced by the participants, some areas need immediate attention, which includes financial support, scholarship, appropriate equipment for the SwDs, special libraries and laboratories for SwDs, disable friendly toilets, awareness, and the unique campaigns for the people of their community, specially trained teachers, Co-operative friends, and families, and Technological and online supports for STDs.

How to cite in APA:

Manandhar, R., & Gaulee, U. (2022). Students with disabilities of higher education in Nepal during a pandemic. In E. J. Valeau, R. L. Raby, & U. Gaulee (eds), Shaping a humane world through global higher education: Pre-challenges and post-opportunities during a pandemic (pp. 119-130). STAR Scholars.

Author Biographies

  • Ruma Manandhar

    Ruma Manandhar, Nepal Open University, Nepal. Assistant Professor at Nepal Open University. She has more than ten years of teaching, including experience in Higher Education and online and distance modes of educational delivery systems. I have been developing curriculum and courses in Open and Distance mode. Recently, she worked with r Podcasts in Education. ruma@nou.edu.np

  • Uttam Gaulee

    Uttam Gaulee, Ph.D., is a trusted leader in American higher education. A policy analyst, author, and keynote speaker, Dr. Gaulee currently serves as a professor in the advanced studies, leadership, and policy department at Morgan State University. He served as the Chair of the University Council at his institution from 2019 to 2021 and played a pivotal role in cultivating an effective relationship between the faculty and the administration. With a strong understanding of shared governance and the necessity of shared excitement towards a common goal, he established a research and creative activities committee within the University Council geared to generate a joint effort toward elevating the institution to a higher level of research activity. As a DEI champion, he advocated for the faculty and introduced the principle of fairness in the institution as the entire industry of higher education suffered financially during the pandemic. His research agenda intersect international higher education systems, diaspora studies, interdisciplinary perspectives on education policy, global citizenship, and cross-cultural issues in international development and geopolitics. Dr. Gaulee advocates community college as a vehicle for social progress and economic development in and beyond the United States. He recently edited a volume on Global Adaptations of Community College Infrastructure. E-mail: uttam.gaulee@morgan.edu

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Published

2022-07-01

Issue

2022: Shaping a Humane World Through Global Higher Education: Pre-Challenges and Post-Opportunities During a Pandemic

Section

Shaping a Humane World Through Global Higher Education (Published)

How to Cite

Students with Disabilities of Higher Education in Nepal during a Pandemic. (2022). Comparative & International Education Series, 119-130. https://ojed.org/cies/article/view/5044