Page 139 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

University of Ruhuna ISSN: 2706-0063
Matara, Sri Lanka

Lack of awareness about the needs of SWDs could be highlighted as another
major issue among all stakeholders. Disability awareness is important for

academic staff members as a professional development strategy.

Furthermore, administrators and nonacademic staff members also need to
be educated on disabilities in order to have a more positive attitude and to

create an inclusive environment for all students. Research findings also
found that awareness programmes are essential for all stakeholders as they

would develop positive attitudes toward SWDs (Morin et al., 2008).

According to the data gathered from the SWDs’ parents, monthly household
income was less than Rs. 31,000, with 40% of them earning less than Rs.

10,000. Around 22% of the parent’s occupation was farming and 22%

reported being unemployed. Furthermore, the parents disclosed that neither
the government nor universities supported them except for the Mahapola

Scholarship and bursaries provided to all eligible university students. Their

immediate family (83%) was found to be the major supporting source for
their disabled children. Parents’ opinion on services provided by

Universities/Institutes shed light on the importance and the dire need of
making access to storied buildings, and provision of toilets suitably

designed for SWDs to use. However, negative and uncertain responses
outnumbered the positive responses received for securing a job after

graduation. The majority of parents thought that the university experience

would have a positive impact on their child’s future.

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