Page 402 - RUICHSS 2023 Proceeding

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

The Perceptions of Peers About Students With Disabilities: An Analysis
With Special Reference to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences,
University of Ruhuna

1*
2
A.J. Jayasekara , I.G.S. Kumari , Upali Pannilage 3
3
Department of Economics 1&2 and Department of Sociology , University of Ruhuna, Matara
*
anne@econ.ruh.ac.lk

Abstract

A good tertiary education is linked to broad socio-economic advantages when students with disabilities enrol
in higher education. Their overall academic performance, retention rates, and graduation rates are similar than
ever to those of their non-disabled classmates. A student can be considered as having special education needs
if he or she is suffering from learning difficulties or a disability and cannot work equally as peers. The broad
problem of the study was what are the existing barriers that hinder the educational inclusion of students with
disabilities in the higher education sector in Sri Lanka. Hence, the key objective of the research was to identify
the barriers that hinder the educational inclusion of students with disabilities through the perceptions of
undergraduates about their peers with disabilities. The study is a non-experimental, descriptive, and association
design between variables using multivariate statistical techniques using 184 sample units from the Humanities
and Social Science Faculty, University of Ruhuna. It was found by exploratory factor analysis that the elements
that had the most impact on the situation were accessibility and resources that universities must facilitate
inclusion; academic staff’s willingness to meet the needs of students with disabilities; real implementation of
the curricular adjustments; and relationships and participation of students with disabilities and peers. The
findings of the study suggest that universities should execute targeted programmes to address the knowledge
gap about students with disabilities and the operation of care and support services for them.

Keywords: Factor Analysis, Higher Education; Inclusive Education; Perceptions, Students with Disabilities

1. Introduction and Research Problem

1.1. Introduction

Scholars including (Morgado et al., (2016), and Caidi and Allard, (2005) have defined
inclusive education as an educational model in which all students can learn, participate, and

are welcomed as valuable members of the university. Also, it is an attempt to break down

barriers that prevent full participation in social life.

Recognizing the trends, expansion and challenges of inclusive education has become a major
concern in the modern era. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has established

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