Competences of students with visual impairment in using orientation and mobility techniques in Wenchi shs in the bono region of Ghana

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.