QUESTION 3
Overall, 74% of the students believed that they received the same opportunity to enter higher education as did their
sighted peers. However, they identified a number of factors that negatively influence applications. First, the staff members (31%) believed, on the basis of their experiences with college students, that high school students are frequently unaware that there are supports available for them in institutions of higher education, and 33% of the students identified this lack of knowledge as a barrier to applying. From their experience, the students (31%) suggested that there is a perception of a lack of social and academic supports in higher education. In addition, 71% of the students who commented (or 58 students) stated that they received no advice or discouraging advice in high school about higher education. One student said, “I wasn't given any advice, but I filled out the application because I was told to. So, I went but had no understanding of what I was getting into.” Another student stated: “They had no advice because they couldn't figure out how I could do it.” Second, on the basis of their experience in supporting students with visual impairments, the staff (25%) stated that fear of isolation, workload concerns, low self-esteem, and the lack of self-advocacy
skills led to low confidence. The students
(51%) explained that they believe that
their peers who are visually impaired do
not apply to college because they lack
confidence in their own abilities. One
participant said, “Learned helplessness
comes from the school system. Some students
are too dependent on human support
for their schooling, and they lack
independence.” One student said that this
lack of independence leads to poor skills
for higher education: “Lack of core education
. . . they don’t get the skills they
need in high school. . . . They are used to
having help in the classroom and are dependent
on their teachers.”
Part of the lack of confidence, the students
suggested, is the fear of isolation.
One student explained: “It’s a very intimidating
feeling to walk into that space,
especially if you don’t have the confidence.”
Another student stated: “There is
no one you can trust.”