Navigating Barriers and Wayfinding Deficiencies for Persons with Disabilities in Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State. Journal of Human Settlements Research and Development,

Abstract

Barriers in navigation and wayfinding significantly exclude students with disabilities in higher education. The lack of tactile paving, audio alerts, Braille signage, and digital aids poses a safety risk to campus navigation. This study examined wayfinding deficiencies across four Nigerian institutions, in alignment with Nigeria's DAPD Act (2018) and the UNCRPD. Using mixed methods, questionnaires were administered to 114 PWDs at four institutions, and 12 interviews were conducted with disability officers. Results showed a complete absence of digital aids (M = 1.64–1.66) and critical gaps in tactile paving (M = 1.83–1.89), Braille signage (M = 1.71–1.79), and audio systems (M = 1.77– 1.84). Chi-square tests indicated significant differences at FPN but not at others, reflecting fragmented systems. Qualitatively, six institutional themes explaining wayfinding deficiencies were identified: planning invisibility, budget constraints, knowledge gaps, compensatory peer dependence, policy non-enforcement, and unfulfilled digital optimism. Overall, infrastructure fails to ensure safe, independent navigation for students with sensory disabilities. Urgent investment in digital and tactile wayfinding is needed.