The psychosocial challenges experienced by students with disabilities at the University of Technology in South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal

African Journal of Disability

 
 
Field Value
 
Title The psychosocial challenges experienced by students with disabilities at the University of Technology in South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal
 
Creator Masuku, Andile S. Sibiya, Maureen N. Gumede, Dumile Hlengwa, Reggiswindis T.
 
Subject education University of Technology; disabilities; psychosocial; student affairs; practitioners; KwaZulu-Natal
Description Background: Students with disabilities encounter numerous challenges in life, which ultimately harm their psychosocial well-being. These psychosocial challenges pose a threat to their university life experience and hinder the chances of success for students with disabilities.Objectives: The study aims to explore the perspectives of student affairs practitioners and students with disabilities on the psychosocial challenges of students with disabilities.Method: In this study, we used data from semi-structured interviews with 12 purposively selected student affairs practitioners and students with disabilities. After transcription, the data were analysed thematically.Results: Four themes were identified: (1) poor infrastructure and a lack of resources; (2) stigmatisation and discrimination; (3) mental health and social challenges; and (4) awareness of disability and provision of adequate resources.Conclusion: Students with disabilities face several psychosocial challenges and these challenges harm their mental health and social well-being.Contribution: This study adds to the expanding body of knowledge on the psychosocial challenges of students with disabilities. Universities have committed to advocating for and ensuring the inclusivity of these students. Consequently, it is crucial to understand their daily challenges and the necessary interventions to address them, ensuring that these students feel a sense of belonging and recognition.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor
Date 2025-10-08
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — —
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/ajod.v14i0.1668
 
Source African Journal of Disability; Vol 14 (2025); 11 pages 2226-7220 2223-9170
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1668/3845 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1668/3846 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1668/3847 https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1668/3848
 
Coverage South Africa; KwaZulu-Natal — —
Rights Copyright (c) 2025 Andile S. Masuku, Maureen N. Sibiya, Dumile Gumede, Reggiswindis T. Hlengwa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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