Abstract:
The purpose of the study was to determine the attitudes of sighted students
towards the integration of students with visual impairments in the Wenchi
Methodist Senior High School in Brong Ahafo Region. The study employed the
case study approach. A sample of 80 students was selected using purposive
sampling. Structured questionnaire was the tool for data collection. The data
collected were analyzed descriptively using descriptive statistics and inferential
statistics to explore patterns of association among variables. The result of the
study revealed that integrating students with visual impairments with sighted
students may disrupt classroom discipline. It also emerged that teachers are the
biggest challenge to the school’s integration programme because they usually
neglect the needs of the students with visual impairment in class. It was further
revealed that students who are visually impaired are helpless and incapable of
performing the tasks required for day to day living. Finally, it emerged that
females have more positive attitude towards students with visual impairments
than their male counterparts. It was also found that the concept of inclusive
education would suffer a great deal if the perception and attitude of sighted
students towards students with visual impairment remain unchanged. It was
recommended that the school authorities and the guidance team should organise
disability sensitization programmes in the school to orient non-disabled students
on the causes and related issues about visual impairments and other disabilities.
Description:
A DISSERTATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF SPECIAL EDUCATION,
FACULTY OF EDUCATIONAL STUDIES, SUBMITTED TO THE
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION,
WINNEBA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE AWARD OF MASTER OF EDUCATION (SPECIAL EDUCATION)
DEGREE.
DECEMBER, 2017