The experience if learners with disabilities engagement in lifelong learning : a case study in Open University Malaysia

• Main Author: Wong , Huey Siew
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: LC Special aspects of education
• Online Access: http://library.oum.edu.my/repository/1012/
• Institution: Open University Malaysia

According to Tushna (2013) lifelong learning promotes personal development and leading to greater job satisfaction. With these principles, there are various organisations particularly universities do provide lifelong learning opportunities for people to upgrade themselves or obtain higher academic qualification. In fact, lifelong learning have been widely adopted in many countries even within the rehabilitation context to enable people with disabilities to improve their skills and academic achievement. It is important to note that Open University Malaysia has provided a great opportunity for people with disabilities to further and complete their tertiary education within the lifelong learning framework through Open and Distance Learning (ODL). The purpose of this discussion paper attempts to examine the experience of learners with disability in lifelong learning particularly in the context of Open University Malaysia. More specifically, this paper will address the experiences and challenges encountered by the learners with disabilities while studying in OUM. There were 21 learners with disabilities involved in the study and the data were collected through in-depth telephone interview. The finding indicated that learners with disabilities perceived positively their learning experience in OUM. However, they uncounted certain challenges too. (Abstract by author)