Self-advocacy for Inclusion: A Case Study of Blind Students in the University of Gondar, Ethiopia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the self-advocacy practice for inclusion of blind students in the University of Gondar. A case study design with qualitative inquiry approach was used. In-depth interview guide which was developed out of comprehensive review of literature was used as data gathering instrument. The in-depth interview instrument on its content and construct validity was checked by one blind special needs education professional who works as an instructor in the Department of Special Needs and Inclusive Education in the University of Gondar. There were only five blind students in the university; three were taken as the rest two were unwilling. The data collected through semi-structured interview guide was analyzed thematically in four dimensions of self-advocacy: knowledge of self, knowledge of rights, communication and leadership. Additionally, there was a theme that investigates how the blind students were self-advocating in fighting back their challenges. Results indicate that the blind students were not found to be self-advocates for their inclusion. Except in knowledge of self to some extent, they were found to have limitations in their knowledge of rights, communication and leadership. Recommendations such as improving knowledge of rights, communications and leadership have been forwarded