Distance learning in Higher Education during the first pandemic lockdown: The point of view of students with special educational needs

The study investigates the perspective on distance learning (DL) of a sample of students with disability. Participants (N = 198; 62% females) completed an online questionnaire. The results highlight that students perceive both advantages and barriers, which vary as a function of the type of disability. This seems to suggest that DL potentials should be evaluated in relation to the specific vulnerabilities and educational needs associated with each type of disability, which might be accomplished by adopting the Universal Design for Learning framework. Also, it may be that the impact of DL depends on the discipline as well as on the teachers' digital competences, which can make a great difference in the quality of the online lesson and in the overall didactic experience of students with SEN.