The Conversion of Secondary Schools Books into Accessible Formats for Persons with Visual Impairments and Effects on Inclusive Education in Some Selected Divisions of the North West Region of Cameroon

Abstract

Inclusive education remains a cornerstone of global educational development, especially in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 4, which emphasizes equitable quality education for all learners, including those with disabilities. In Cameroon, while national policy frameworks advocate for inclusive education, the lived experiences of learners with visual impairments continue to reflect structural and systemic exclusion, particularly in secondary schools. A critical aspect of this exclusion is the lack of accessible learning materials. This study investigates the process and impact of converting secondary schools’ textbooks into accessible formats specifically braille, audio, and large print for students with visual impairments in selected divisions of the North West Region of Cameroon. The research critically examines how such conversions influence the learning experiences, academic performance, and social inclusion of visually impaired learners, as well as how these efforts affect the broader school environment’s commitment to inclusive education. The study is grounded in two primary theoretical frameworks: the Social Model of Disability and Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory of Learning. The Social Model of Disability, originally developed by Michael Oliver (1990), views disability not as a deficit within the individual, but as a result of societal and environmental barriers. This model underscores the importance of structural interventions such as accessible materials in removing obstacles to participation. In the context of this study, it emphasizes that the lack of adapted textbooks is a disabling factor, not the impairment itself. Complementing this, Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory (1978) highlights the role of social interaction and cultural tools in cognitive development. Learning materials, in this sense, act as cultural tools that mediate knowledge acquisition. Without equitable access to these tools, visually impaired students are denied equal learning opportunities, which impedes their development and inclusion. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was adopted for this research. Quantitative data were collected through structured surveys administered to 120 students (visually impaired and sighted peers), 40 teachers, and 10 school administrators across three divisions: Mezam, Ngoketunjia, and Boyo. Qualitative data were gathered via semi-structured interviews with 15 special education teachers and in-depth focus group discussions with 20 visually impaired pupils. The data were analyzed using SPSS for statistical correlation and thematic analysis for qualitative insights. The findings reveal that the conversion of textbooks into accessible formats has a significantly positive impact on the academic performance and classroom engagement of pupils with visual impairments. Students who used braille and audio books scored, on average, 28% higher on standardized assessments than their peers without access to such formats. Furthermore, 85% of the visually impaired students reported greater participation in class activities and increased self-confidence when accessible materials were available. Teachers also indicated that having these materials encouraged them to adopt more inclusive teaching methods, including differentiated instruction and the use of assistive technology. Despite these gains, the study also uncovers substantial barriers to implementation. These include insufficient production of accessible materials due to budgetary constraints, a lack of trained personnel in braille transcription and audio recording, and the absence of standardized guidelines for inclusive publishing in the Cameroonian secondary school system. Moreover, while policies exist to support inclusive education, their practical enforcement remains weak, particularly in rural and conflict-affected zones of the North West Region. Another significant observation is the difference in perception and awareness among teachers and administrators. While most educators acknowledge the importance of inclusive materials, only 37% had received any training in inclusive pedagogy or material adaptation. This gap underscores the need for professional development programs that not only provide skills but also challenge deficit-based perceptions of disability. Additionally, many teachers expressed uncertainty about the compatibility of accessible materials with the national curriculum, reflecting a disconnect between inclusive policy rhetoric and classroom practice.

The study also notes that the crisis in the North West Region marked by armed conflict and school closures has further compounded the challenges faced by visually impaired learners. In many cases, the few schools that previously had accessible materials have either been displaced or destroyed. However, this has also led to some innovative community-based responses, such as the use of mobile libraries and audio recordings distributed via WhatsApp and local radio. These informal solutions, while not sustainable long-term, point to the resilience of local actors and the potential of low-cost technology in promoting access. The conversion of secondary school textbooks into accessible formats is not merely a technical exercise but a fundamental component of educational justice. It enables learners with visual impairments to participate equitably, succeed academically, and be socially included in mainstream educational settings. The study affirms that while accessible learning materials significantly enhance inclusive education outcomes, they must be supported by systemic changes including policy enforcement, teacher training, investment in inclusive publishing infrastructure, and context-sensitive strategies that account for crisis realities. Based on the findings, the study recommends the institutionalization of inclusive content creation within the national curriculum development process, capacity building for educators, and partnerships between the government, NGOs, and disability rights organizations to sustainably scale the production and distribution of accessible materials. Only then can inclusive education move from policy discourse to tangible outcomes for learners with visual impairments in Cameroon and beyond.