Abstract: Many Universities have adopted using Learning Management Systems (LMSs) to
assist in teaching and learning. As technologies become popular, less considerations on learners
and lecturers who are Visually Impaired (VI) has been done. Researchers agree that technology
is an essential tool to remove existing discrimination against visually impaired people by
allowing them to participate fully in education. However, VI people face challenges to access
information as a result of poor systems design. In some cases, assistive technology to aid
mobility and retain independent lives within the online environment for the VI have been
incorporated. The study considered students at Walter Sisulu University at one campus who are
using a LMS called WiseUp. The participatory design research using prototyping was used as
the research design of the study. 33 students who have different visual impairments and using
WiseUp for teaching and learning were considered. Results show that very few visually
impaired students engaged could navigate with less difficulties through the system, whilst
majority found it very difficult to navigate. Others have grown accustom in getting academic
information through peers. All students agreed that they find it difficult to read current font size
and the choice of the colors is not in line with their needs. The University did not have assistive
technology or a dedicated place for students with visual challenges at the time of the study. The
study presents the perceptions of VI students at WSU when using WiseUp.
Proceedings of the 49th Annual
Conference of the Southern African
Computer Lecturers’ Association
Virtual conference hosted by Departments
of Information Systems and Computer
Science, Rhodes University
Programme Chairs: George Wells and Monelo Nxozi
Conference Chairs: Karen Bradshaw and Ingrid Siebörger
Proceedings Editors: Philip Machanick and Karl van der Schyff
Springer Proceedings Editor: Bobby Tait
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