ABSTRACT

Background Students with hearing disabilities need more support in a university environment to achieve quality of academic life (QAL), as it is widely recognized that hearing is one of the most important keys to academic success, Although the enrollment of students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing (SDHH) in the Saudi universities has increased due to generous laws and technological development, these students still face academic and social problems, and difficulties in facilities and services at the university. Purpose: This study aimed to identify the level of QAL for SDHH at Northern border university (NBU), Arar, Saudi Arabia. Despite several good studies on students with disabilities, there is a dearth of studies on the state of QAI in NBU. Method: The descriptive approach was adopted, where the QAL scale, consisting of (4) dimensions, was used with (25) SDHH at NBU. Findings: The results showed that the QAL for SDHH at NBU was within an above-average range. These findings and the limitations and implications of the current research are discussed. Implications for research and practice: The study is expected to contribute to empowerment of SDHH and students with disabilities and providing them fundamental rights including the rights of higher education.