Visually Impaired Users' Access to Online Academic Result in Nigerian Higher Education Institutions: An Exploratory Design Needs Study

The adoption of web-based platforms by students to check or access their academic performance is widespread in developing countries' academic systems. However, challenges persist in achieving full implementation, particularly in the case of visually impaired students. This paper explores the perception of visually impaired users in creating an accessible result-checking system for visually impaired students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Nigeria. Despite efforts towards inclusive education, students with visual impairments encounter barriers to accessing educational resources and information. This research aims to identify perceptions, challenges, and opportunities for creating a highly accessible result checking system. The study involves a user-centred focus group discussion with visually impaired participants. Findings reveal challenges in accessing educational information, lack of assistive device provision, and privacy concerns. Participants highlighted the role of mobile apps in facilitating access to information. The study contributes to the discourse on inclusive education and underscores the potential of IVR/USSD technology to bridge accessibility gaps for visually impaired students, promoting independence and equitable access to educational resources. The paper highlights the methodology and participant insights from the focus group discussion held.