Access to higher education for students with disabilities ... Inclusion efforts, barriers
Imagine this: Some brilliant, ambitious students with disabilities arrive at a Ghanaian university, pleased to chase their academic dreams.
But as they step onto campus, they are greeted not with accessibility ramps but with a well-meaning "Eeeei, sorry ooo!" from a passing student.
Suddenly, they realise that their biggest challenge might not be their studies but navigating a world where disability is treated like a mystery wrapped in pity.
Higher education in Ghana is a game of endurance, but for students with disabilities, it is like playing football on a field full of potholes—with no referee to ensure fairness.
While the country has made admirable efforts toward inclusion, several barriers still stand in the way of true accessibility.
Inclusion: Progress
Ghana has taken significant steps toward making higher education more inclusive.
Firstly, Ghana’s Inclusive Education Policy and the Persons with Disability Act (2006) aim to provide equal opportunities in education.
Universities are obliged to accommodate students with disabilities and make reasonable adjustments.
Secondly, some institutions, including the University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast, University of Education, Winneba and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, have disability support offices to assist students with special needs.
These offices provide assistive technology, counselling and academic support.
Again, with digital advancements, some students with disabilities now have access to screen readers, braille resources and voice recognition software to aid their studies.
Some lecturers embrace e-learning platforms, making learning flexible.
Besides, there is growing advocacy for inclusive education, with disability rights organisations pushing for better policies and facilities. Students with disabilities themselves are also speaking up about their challenges, demanding equity.
Barriers to access
Despite these efforts, the reality for many students with disabilities in Ghana remains rough.
Their journey through higher education is often an obstacle course, full of challenges such as infrastructure nightmares.
Many university buildings look like they were designed by architects who have never met a wheelchair user.
Lecture halls are usually upstairs with no ramps or elevators, and some dormitories resemble military boot camps—physically demanding even for the able-bodied.
This forces students with disabilities to either depend on the goodwill of strangers to carry them up or miss out entirely.
Whereas some progress has been made, many learning resources are still not accessible to students with disabilities.
Students with visual impairments struggle to find braille books, and students with hearing impairments hardly get sign language interpreters.
Some lecturers, with all due respect, teach as if they are allergic to inclusive methods.
Another big barrier is societal attitude. Some people still believe that students with disabilities should not be in higher education at all, as if intelligence is a function of physical ability. Others assume these students need extra favours rather than equal opportunities.
Even some lecturers make the academic journey harder by not making necessary accommodations.
Moreover, education is expensive for everyone, but for students with disabilities, the costs can be overwhelming.
Assistive devices, transportation and personal assistance services add to the financial burden. Government scholarships for students with disabilities are inadequate or difficult to access.
Bridging gap?
Firstly, universities must invest in accessible infrastructure such as ramps, elevators and accessible classrooms.
More funding should be directed toward providing braille materials, sign language interpreters and assistive technology.
Also, universities must train lecturers and students in inclusion and disability rights.
Finally, the government and private sector should expand scholarships and financial aid programmes for students with disabilities.
Grand graduation?
Now, fast-forward to graduation day.
Our ambitious students, after years of struggling with inaccessible lecture halls, among others, ultimately make it to the big day.
But wait! The graduation stage has only stairs, no ramp.
They have to rely on others to help them onto the podium!
Inclusion is not a favour, but a right. We must ensure that higher education is accessible to all, including students with disabilities.
The writer is an educator/author.
E-mail:
