Educational inclusion for visually impaired persons in the higher education

Abstract

Introduction: The number of students with visual impairment that have enrolled in higher education has been significant in recent years thanks to positive political action and designated changes in basic education. For that reason, access to information and accessibility conditions must be a priority, to ensure the continuation of these students within the university. Objective: To analyze the scientific production on educational inclusion of the visually impaired, specifically concerning the continuation within higher education institutions. Method: Integrated literature review in publicly accessible virtual environments, such as Brazil’s Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), by combining the following descriptors: baixa visão, ensino superior, cegueira, acessibilidade, tecnologia assistiva e deficiência visual. Results: 21 articles were identified, organized, and analyzed, enabling the identification of one category: access and continuation of visually impaired students within higher education; and two subcategories: teacher training aimed at working with visually impaired students and availability of material resources at higher education institutions. Conclusion: The analysis of the resources indicates that, although access to higher education for people with disabilities is legally protected, actual inclusion is necessary within institutions. Hence, providing access is not enough if there are no suitable physical and material infrastructures to guarantee the continuation of the visually impaired student within the university.