The Experience of Students with Disabilities at an Open Distance e-Learning Institution.

Today, almost all business applications are digitised in such a way that every user of the applications is compelled to adapt to using the internet and computers to achieve their learning experiences in the form of an electronic learning, referred to as 'e-learning'. This article is a qualitative research that investigates the experience of students with disabilities in the use of e-learning platforms at an ODeL institution in South Africa. The study identified those factors that influence the use of e-learning by students with disabilities. The findings of the study indicate that students with disabilities are able to study at this institution. The study established that well-designed e-learning platforms such as the institution's website and learning management systems (LMS) will ensure efficient and effective use by students with disabilities. Therefore, it is possible to overcome all digital and social divides in order to create a society which respects all people, irrespective of their abilities. The study suggests that it is important for e-learning designers/developers to apply accessibility and usability design principles, guidelines and standards during the development process of e-learning websites in order to reduce digital divide and marginalisation. This becomes even more significant when the target user groups have limited capabilities or disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]