Zulfiya Movkebayeva, Dana Khamitova, Ainura Kabdyrova, Assem Akhmetova, Gulnar Zholtayeva, Aitolkyn Duzelbayeva
The paper uses motivation, cognition, and action concept to evaluate the level of knowledge of students with disabilities about existing distance education learning environment at their universities. The paper aims to explore legal provisions in the higher education of Kazakhstan related to persons with disabilities, and suggest ways to bridge the gap between principles of international law and provisions of domestic laws. In order to meet aim of this study, the authors conducted a survey among students with disabilities from Kazakhstani higher education institutions. The study concludes that students with disabilities have certain knowledge about the distance learning technologies as well as methods and techniques used in distance education learning process, however, the motivation to use these education technologies are relatively low. Therefore, in future studies it is necessary to determine the factors that influence the motivation of students with disabilities to get higher education through distance learning technologies. Despite a significant legislative framework on the rights of persons with disabilities, persons with disabilities continue to face significant limitations to get higher education in Kazakhstan.