Abstract:
This study was done to assess the competencies of students with visual impairment in
using orientation and mobility (O&M) techniques at Wenchi Senior High School in
the Bono Region of Ghana. Thirty-five respondents were selected purposively for the
study. An in-depth interview and observations checklist were conducted to elicit both
quantitative and qualitative data. Data from the observational checklist were analyzed
using Statistical Package for Social Science version 21.0 (SPSS 21.0) and a
descriptive statistical method was used to calculate the frequency and percentages for
each item-by-item analysis. The recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed
thematically. The study revealed that orientation and mobility training programs in the
schools were not as effective as expected. The students were competent to use the
human guide techniques, but not competent to use the mobility cane techniques and
the independent travel techniques. Challenges in the school include inadequate
resource teachers, lack of orientation and mobility instructor, inadequate mobility
canes, the few canes were old and rigid canes, the school environment not disability
friendly, the human guide not willing to offer assistance to students with visual
impairment, stigmatization and limited time for orientation and mobility training.
Recommendation such as qualify orientation and mobility instructor, ensuring
improved universal designs in the schools for the blind, curriculum modification,
provision of enough mobility canes, availability of automatic extendable walking
canes, enough resource teachers and public sensitization on stigmatization against
individuals with visual impairment.
Description:
A thesis in the Department of Special Education,
Faculty of Educational Studies, submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the award of the degree of
Master of Philosophy
(Special Education)
in the University of Education, Winneba
AUGUST, 2022