Abstract:
Current developments in government law and policies have created the hope that people
living with a disability will enjoy the same rights and privileges as the non-disabled.
Unfortunately, only 2.8% of disabled persons have access to higher education. The aim of
this study was to determine if a group of students, living with a physical disability,
experienced constraints with regard to access to a South African higher education
institution. This study, following a two-phase sequential mixed method approach, consisted
of a questionnaire survey, a focus group discussion, and individual interviews. It was found
that students living with a physical disability experienced constraints relating to the
accessibility of the relevant higher education institution. Since access constraints affect the
lives of students living with a disability, it is necessary to provide guidelines to universities
on how to address these challenges.
