Role of Academic Leaders in Creating Inclusive Environment through Technological Integration for Students with Disabilities: The Case of Ambo University

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to investigate the role of academic leaders in creating an inclusive environment through technology integration for students with disabilities. In order to reach the objective outlined, the researcher employed an explanatory mixed-methods design. The participants of the study were 32 academic leaders, 62 teachers, 31 students with disabilities and five academic leaders for qualitative investigation. The researcher collected data using two instruments: a questionnaire for academic leaders, teachers, and students with disabilities and an interview for academic leaders only. In conclusion, the correlation results among academic leaders and SwDs was (-0.408) and Teachers and SwDs was (0.253). And this result suggests that there is a "low extent" of technological integration at Ambo University. Moreover, the multiple regression result (P = 0.053) proved that the three variables of academic leaders’ traits, namely: inclusive leadership and vision; inclusive support, management, and operations; and social, legal, and ethical issues, are not significant predictors of SwDs' usage of technology. And the qualitative investigation found that there are many reasons for the low technology integration, such as problems with implementing the plan, a low enrollment rate of SwDs themselves, collaboration between concerned bodies, and the enforcement of policies. It is recommended that all members of the university community acknowledge and work together to use technology to alleviate the teaching and learning problems of SwDs.