Inclusão de estudantes com deficiência visual em uma universidade federal mineira

Abstract

This article presents the results of a qualitative researchthat aimed to describe and analyze challenges experienced during the academic path of students with visual impairments enrolled in a federal university, located in the state of Minas Gerais. A script of questions developed by the researchers and applied remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic was used. It was possible to identify, from the reports of five visually impaired students at the institution, the main difficulties and challenges faced daily to access the various environments of the university. The results indicated that the university's architectural structure, for the most part, did not meet the needs of students with regard to accessibility conditions, often presenting obstacles that compromised the mobility of students at the university. Attitudinal barriers were also pointed out, among which, situations experienced by students stand out, related to negative attitudes about disability conditions on the part of their teachers, which can compromise the permanence of these students in higher education. However, some situations were reported that indicated positive attitudes of teachers, who sought to offer ways to adapt classes to the possible demands of students. Among the possible conclusions made possible from the results obtained, the importance of broadening, with the entire university community, the discussion about disabilities was highlighted in order to deconstruct stereotypes and prejudices, which often impose themselves as considerable barriers in the process of inclusion of people with disabilities in Higher Education.