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People with disabilities have an inviolable right to equitable access and participation in tertiary education and support systems are known to be indispensable in making this right a reality. This article presents the voices of students with disabilities regarding aspects that influence their successful access and participation in tertiary education in Ghana. A qualitative approach was adopted for the study with data collected through interviews with 12 students with disabilities in three public universities. From the perspective of these students, successful inclusion of people with disabilities in tertiary education in Ghana is influenced by enrolment practices, the built environment, teaching and learning approaches, and assessment provisions. The context influenced provisions and support provided. Attitudes of the university community and lack of knowledge of inclusive practices such as Universal Design play a role in students' access and participation. Comprehensive awareness-raising on disability and inclusive practices is recommended to address this issue. This paper explores inclusion practices in three Ghanaian public universities focussing on the combined voices of students with disabilities. The context of the three universities influences the provisions and support available for people with disabilities. The students with disabilities involved in the study reported that access to the university environment and support for academic engagement impact their university experience. The attitude of the university community is a factor in ensuring access, participation and success of people with disabilities in higher education. Creating awareness of disability issues within the university community is pivotal in building and sustaining inclusive culture. The application of universal design principles is essential to improving access and participation of people with disabilities in higher education institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behaviour problems among students with visual disabilities are mentioned as a challenge confronting teachers. This study explores teachers' experiences of behaviour problems and strategies used to mitigate such problems among students with visual disabilities in Ghana. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 purposively selected teachers. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings are discussed using a psychological theory, namely the biological theories and psychodynamic theories. The study shows that students exhibit several classroom behaviour problems, categorised into physiological (emotional problems, noncompliance and aggression) and physical and social problems (verbal abuse, sleeping, talking, habitual lateness and teasing). Factors causing behaviour problems are negative attitudes of teachers, unfavourable teaching methods, the nature of the family, and classroom environment. The study concludes that behavioural (rewards and motivation, punishment, and classroom rules and regulations), humanistic (positive student-teacher relationship) and systemic (participatory teaching strategy and resource persons) approaches can be employed as mitigation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is limited literature on sexual coercion/harassment of university students with disabilities, hence we, explored this phenomenon in Ghana, using a sequential explanatory-mixed method design that involved 119 (62 males and 57 females) students with various disabilities in the quantitative study and 12 (7 females and 5 males) students in the qualitative phase using questionnaire and interview guide for data collection respectively. We found that participants were not aware of the university's sexual coercion/harassment policy nor involved in its formulation/dissemination. Persistently asking for sexual relationships, pressurized for outings, attempted/forced kissing, being sexually looked at, engaging in uncomfortable sexual conversations, and sexually provocative touch were common. The main perpetrators of these acts included physically able people (24.4%), colleagues with disabilities (14.3%), and Lecturers/Administrative staff (10.9%). We recommend policies and programs' strengthening to protect students with disabilities from such unwarranted acts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on trauma-informed practices is common in Western countries, but non-Western countries have made minimal contributions in this regard. This study aimed to develop an instrument which could be used to measure perceived competence of teachers in the implementation of trauma-informed practices for students with disabilities in Ghana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Teacher Trauma Management Scale (TTMS), developed using the trauma framework by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration was used to collect data from 514 teachers in Ghana (n 270) and the UAE (n = 244). Data were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis) and a two-way factorial analysis of variance was conducted. While one hypothesis was supported by the study findings, the other was only partially supported. The findings provided theoretical and structural support for the newly developed TTMS in a non-Western context. This study highlights the need to develop contextual trauma management training models or a curriculum for training teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inclusive education is a "revolutionary" educational concept which seeks to promote the participation of all students in the teaching and learning process. Although several countries have revised their education system to promote the learning of all students in the same classroom, there are persistent barriers to effective inclusive practices. Within this discourse, there is a scarcity of studies focussing solely on students' perspectives on resource availability. Due to the sizeable population of students with sensory disabilities in Ghana, this study sought to understand the perspectives of students with hearing (n = 74) and visual (n = 41) impairments on resource availability in regular schools. A total of 115 students with sensory disabilities were recruited from one special and two regular schools in Ghana using the Perceived Resources Questionnaire. The data were entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and subjected to t-tests, one and two-way independent analyses of variances and direct logical regressions. While the students were slightly positive about the availability of resources, there were differences between them in terms of disability type, gender and grade. We discuss the need for policymakers to engage other stakeholders to expedite the supply of resources to regular schools to support inclusive practices. The importance of resources to facilitating inclusive practices cannot be overemphasised. The perspectives of students with disabilities about availability of resources in schools is unreported. Students with sensory disabilities were slightly positive about availability of resources in regular schools. There were differences between students with sensory disabilities who participated in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The call to practise inclusive education in African countries has coincided with efforts to promote deeper cooperation in the education sector. Ghana and Nigeria have adopted a common curriculum to facilitate the development of people in the West African sub-region. In both countries, while much is known about the challenges faced by teachers and schools in the implementation of inclusive education, little is known about parents' attitudes, knowledge and perceived social norms regarding inclusive education. In this study, we adapted Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour to examine parents' attitudes, knowledge and perceived social norms in influencing inclusive practices. One-thousand-and-seventy-five parents were recruited from Ghana (n = 411) and Nigeria (n = 664). They completed the Parents' Attitudes Towards Inclusive Education scale, which consists of three subscales: attitudes, perceived social norms, and knowledge. Although there was a moderate relationship between the subscales, the participants were positive on attitudes and perceived social norms, but they reported a lack of knowledge about inclusive education. The participants seemed to accept the need for implementation of inclusive education, and they acknowledged the efforts of implementers in practising inclusive education. However, they indicated limited knowledge about implementation of inclusive education. The need for policymakers to prioritise public education is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the past 15 years (2003–2018), Ghana has followed international frameworks and taken steps to implement inclusive education. This has triggered research that seeks to assess effectiveness of practices by documenting the perspectives and experiences of key stakeholders such as parents and other educators. This study took stock of the research evidence to appraise the effectiveness of inclusive education practices, identify gaps in the literature and draw attention to areas that policymakers could strengthen to advance those practices. Adopting Ainscow and Miles's (2009. Developing Inclusive Education Systems: How Can We Move Policies Forward. ) inclusive education measurement indicators as a conceptual framework, we reviewed empirical studies that have been conducted on inclusive education in Ghana since the policy was formally incorporated into the education system. Ten databases, along with manual searches in journals and the reference lists of selected articles, yielded a total of 426 studies, of which 35 satisfied the pre-determined inclusion and quality-assessment criteria. We found barriers to inclusive practices at all levels of education. Teachers in particular have not been adequately informed and supported to teach students with disabilities in regular classrooms. The implications of the findings for policymaking and future research are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been widely reported that as students with disabilities climb the academic ladder, it becomes more difficult to implement inclusive education for vulnerable students, such as those with disabilities. In the Ghanaian context, there are few studies on the intentions of teachers towards practicing inclusive education in secondary schools for students with disabilities. Using Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour as a theoretical framework, the aim of this study was to develop a deeper insight into the intentions of teachers towards practicing inclusive education in secondary schools in Ghana. In this follow-up qualitative study, eight teachers, four males and four females, who had participated in the first phase of a larger study, were interviewed to develop a deeper insight into their views and to clarify the influence of the known variables on their intentions. The data were analysed thematically, and the results showed that effective supervision in private schools, parental contribution, motivation, gender roles, and level of teaching were critical to participating teachers' intentions to include students with disabilities in their regular classes. The results indicate the need for policymakers to empower school leaders in public schools to promote the teaching of all students in one classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the experiences of students with mobility disabilities accessing higher education institutions in the Accra metropolis of Ghana. To capture the accessibility issues that people with disabilities encounter in their daily lives as postsecondary students first hand, this study used PhotoVoice methodology, which uses a combination of photographs and corresponding narrations. Themes identified in the photographs and narrations highlight the emotional and academic impact of participant encounters with an inaccessible postsecondary environment. Implications for policy and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored teacher self-efficacy, attitudes and concerns about implementing inclusive education in Ghana, using a four-part survey questionnaire comprising Teachers' Background Information, Self-Efficacy About Inclusive Education, Attitudes Toward Inclusive Education and Concerns About Inclusive Education. Data obtained from 134 primary school teachers in two regions were analysed using Descriptive statistics, t-Tests, ANOVA and Correlation procedures. The results indicate that Ghanaian teachers in the study have concerns about inclusive education, less positive attitudes and also have moderate levels of self-efficacy about implementing inclusive education. These findings have implications for sustaining inclusive education and are discussed in relation to contextual variables and student demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social and inclusive education as captured under the Sustainable Development Goals enjoined most countries to implement policies to bring about education for all students. Inclusive education recognises that students come from diverse backgrounds with varied characteristics, which include different learning capacities and cognitive development. The purpose of this study was to examine Ghanaian teachers' attitudes toward inclusive education. The Multidimensional Attitudes Toward Inclusive Education Scale (MATIES) developed by [Mahat, M. 2008. "The Development of a Psychometrically Sound Instrument to Measure Teachers' Multidimensional Attitudes toward Inclusive Education." International Journal of Special Education 23: 82–92.] was administered to 280 selected teachers in Ghana. The results of Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed that the three-factor structure of the MATIES theorised by [Mahat, M. 2008. "The Development of a Psychometrically Sound Instrument to Measure Teachers' Multidimensional Attitudes toward Inclusive Education." International Journal of Special Education 23: 82–92] was not supported by the Ghanaian sample. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a correlated four-factor solution. These four factors were labelled Behavioural, Affective, Positive Beliefs, and Negative Beliefs. The reliability coefficients for these four subscales were 0.90. 0.86, 0.77, and 0.73, respectively. Analysis of variance revealed that males exhibited more negative beliefs towards inclusive education than females; more experienced teachers exhibited low behavioural attitudes than their counterparts with less teaching experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though Ghana has embraced international calls for mainstream education, many children with intellectual disabilities still receive education in segregated special schools. This article discusses the views of seven informants on the importance of special schools in Ghana. After securing the consent of our informants, we conducted in-depth qualitative interviews, transcribed and subjected the data to thematic analysis. The following views on the education of children with intellectual disabilities in special schools emerged; availability of dedicated teachers, variations in learning activities, playing the preparatory role, inclusion on their premises, discrimination and cultural stereotypes. The findings indicate that special schools still play important roles in the education of children with intellectual disabilities in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]