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SYSTEMATIC REVIEW article

Front. Educ.

Sec. Special Educational Needs

Global Perspectives on Educating Blind and Visually Impaired Students in Higher Education: A Review of the Literature

Provisionally accepted
Shea CharlesShea Charles1*Nicholas GelbarNicholas Gelbar1*Joseph MadausJoseph Madaus1*Lyman L. Dukes IIILyman L. Dukes III2*Michael N Faggella-LubyMichael N Faggella-Luby3*
  • 1University of Connecticut, Storrs, United States
  • 2University of South Florida, Tampa, United States
  • 3Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, United States

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Abstract This systematic review examines the state of peer-reviewed published research on blind and/or visually impaired college students from 2013 to 2022. It highlights the global distribution of research, the study methodologies utilized, and the research topics that currently dominate the field. Findings highlight the need for broader global development and representation of countries in the field, the expansion of research samples and methodologies, increased application of interventional approaches, and the advancement of studies specifically focused on blind and visually impaired students. The review informs future research development, practices, and improve international higher education institutional practices and policies for blind and visually impaired students.

Keywords: Blindness, disabled, higher education, Services, Systematic review, visual impairment

Received: 15 Sep 2025; Accepted: 22 Jan 2026.

Copyright: © 2026 Charles, Gelbar, Madaus, Dukes III and Faggella-Luby. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

* Correspondence:
Shea Charles
Nicholas Gelbar
Joseph Madaus
Lyman L. Dukes III
Michael N Faggella-Luby

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Supplementary Material