Institutional Factors Influencing University Management’s Integration of Learners With Special Needs in the University of Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate institutional factors influencing university management in integrating learners with special needs into college life in the University of Nairobi. This study aimed to determine the extent to which availability of physical infrastructure influences integration of learners with special needs; determine the influence of provision of assistive devices on integration of learners with special needs, and, assess the extent to which adequacy of human resources influences integration of learners with special needs. The study was conducted using descriptive survey design where the target population included twenty-one administrators and thirty learners with disabilities in the college of humanities and social sciences of the University of Nairobi. The respondents were selected using purposive sampling. The administrators in the college of Arts, Law and business were the respondents. These included those in charge of construction and maintenance, Dean of students, Library Medical services, Students Welfare Association, Dean of faculties, and transport. Because of learners being on recess, twenty-one instead of the thirty students with special needs were selected across the three campuses. The researcher instrument for the study included two questionnaires with both open and close ended questions and an observation schedule (one questionnaire for the administrators and one for the students with special needs). Data from the field was edited and coded according to themes which emanated from the research objectives and questions. Data is analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. Qualitative data was derived from open ended questions in the observation schedule. Quantitative data was from descriptive statistics supported by tables, graphs, pie chart, frequency and percentage. This was done using the statistics package for social sciences (SPSS) computer package. From the findings, the study revealed inadequacies of physical facilities and assistive devices that could assist in the integration of learners with special needs. At the same time, sensitization of students was not done and the number of human resources to help support learners with special needs were inadequate. The learning resources (especially the physical facilities) are not adapted to the needs of learners with special needs. Therefore, the University of Nairobi Management should organize for ways through which physical facilities should be imported to comply with LWD. Assistive devices both for teaching and learning, and those for mobility to be availed. Human resources who understand such conditions to be sourced to assist LWD. The student’s sensitization to be done by those tasked to do so. For instance, the office of the dean of students. An independent department could be set by the university to solely deal with issues of learners with special needs. In summary, this study sort to determine the extent to which the availability of physical infrastructure, provision of assistive devices, students’ sensitization and adequacy of human resources influence integration of learners with special needs in university life in college of humanities and social sciences of the University of Nairobi.