身心障礙大學生新冠肺炎（COVID-19）期間遠距學習調查：以臺灣為例

A Survey of the Remote Learning Experience of College Students with Disabilities during COVID–19

本研究以質量混合研究方法探究臺灣各大學身心障礙生在新冠疫情下的遠距學習經驗。量化部分，透過線上問卷共有577份有效填答；質性訪談37位障礙生。本研究以描述性統計、組間差異分析，綜合質性主題分析的研究結果呈現各障礙別與各學群之障礙生在遠距學習的樣貌與困境，障礙生認為遠距學習影響最大的是學習效率。在遠距學習經驗中，正負向經驗兼具且有障別間差異。此外，障礙生若能與資源教室輔導員在疫情中持續保持互動，對情緒有正面影響。以上初步分析指出，即使經過一年的超前布署，在本土疫情爆發時，大學端與主管機構亟需協力弭平高等教育機構在遠距學習系統中對障礙生支持的巨大缺口。

In recent years, higher education in Taiwan expanded along with more diverse entrance options. These changes increased opportunities for students with disabilities to enroll in higher education. However, many higher education institutions were underprepared in supporting students with disabilities. Most students with disabilities reported mal¬adjustment in higher education, especially those with visual impairment, hearing loss, and cerebral palsy. They found keeping up with the prog¬ress of courses and assignments difficult. Due to the COVID-19 pan¬demic, schools in Taiwan started remote teaching on May 17, 2021. So far, the experiences of and challenges for students with disabilities remain unknown. This study explored the remote learning experiences of college students with disabilities during the pandemic. We asked respondents to report whether they experienced more intense or dif¬ferent difficulties. In addition, we identified different types of accom¬modation across disability categories and college majors.
Using a mixed method design, we sent out an online questionnaire through the resource classrooms of each university, resulting in 577 volunteer respondents who were students with disabilities; subsequently, 37 students with disabilities shared their living and learning experiences under remote learning during the pandemic in follow-up qualitative interviews. In this sample, 57.0% (n=329) self-identified as having mental or cognitive disabilities; 24.1% (n=139) physical disabilities; 18.0% (n=104) sensory (i.e., visual impairment or hearing loss) dis¬abilities; and 5.9% (n=34) other disabilities. The survey revealed that students with mental or cognitive disabilities were less likely to receive helpful information and accommodation remotely from the disability service center (M=4.96 vs. M=5.24) and specific course material instructions (M=4.52 vs. M=4.74); students with sensory disabilities were less likely to access course material in remote learning (M=4.06 vs. M=4.55) and to receive useful information about final exams and papers (M=4.10 vs. M=4.48); students with physical disabilities were more likely to receive clear instructions from teachers (M=4.88 vs. M=4.53) and to efficiently communicate with teachers regarding changes to assignments and papers (M=4.68 vs. M=4.42); students with other disabilities were more likely to receive assistance from the disability service centers (M=5.03 vs. M=4.64) and to manage their time well during remote learning (M=5.00 vs. M=4.45). Overall, students with other disabilities and physical disabilities reported better adjustment to remote learning. In contrast, students with mental, cog¬nitive or sensory disabilities reported feeling more disadvantaged in remote learning settings.
Moreover, qualitative data showed that remote learning had the greatest impact on learning efficiency for students with disabilities, but the experiences were mixed. Students with disabilities also iden¬tified instructors as a key factor for learning effectiveness. In addition, students with disabilities expressed positive emotion if they continued having effective communication with resource classroom staff during the pandemic. In sum, the study revealed five major findings: (1) The rights and needs of students with disabilities were more overlooked during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) Students’difficulties under remote learning varied by the type of disability; (3) Instructors’sup¬port in remote learning varied across students’major of study. (4) Professional development in remote teaching skills for instructors can benefit students with disabilities. (5) Future research should consider time management and financial burden issues.