EDUCATION AND DISABILITY: A STUDY ON ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Access to education is crucial for students with disability as it empowers them, by promoting social inclusion, equal opportunities, personal development, raises awareness and empathy, upholds their fundamental human rights and breaks stereotypes. However, similar to most other societies, students with disability in Kashmir encounter numerous barriers when attempting to access higher education. In this context the primary objective of this study was to gain insights into the educational experiences of disabled students pursuing higher education in Kashmir. The study was based on 26 students with disability who were enrolled at Central University of Kashmir. The data was collected through qualitative methodology by using interviews. The results indicated that disabled individuals face notable challenges when it comes to accessing education. The barriers faced by students with disability encompass various challenges, such as experiencing harassment, being excluded from the university community, lacking sufficient institutional support, inadequate accommodations, limited financial assistance, substandard seminars, and insufficient infrastructure and facilities. These obstacles impede disabled students from achieving equal access to education when compared to their non-disabled peers.