Teaching and Learning Mobility Skills as Tools for Independent Living Among Individuals with Visual Impairment in Niger Special School, Minna
Keywords:
Independent Living, Visual Impairment, Mobility Skills, Teaching, LearningAbstract
This study aimed to x-ray teaching and learning mobility skills as tools for independent living among individuals with visual impairment in Niger Special School. Cross-sectional research design was adopted for this study. The population was 6 teachers in primary 1 to 5 of Niger State Special Education School. The sample size for this study was the 6 teachers from the school. The study used purposive sampling technique in selecting teachers at Niger Special School. The study made use of self-made structured questionnaire titled: Teaching and Learning of Mobility Skills and Independent Living for Individuals with Visual Impairment Questionnaire (TLMSILVIQ) to collect data. The study used both descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze the data. The findings revealed that, white cane techniques, hand trailing, sighted guide techniques, and ascending and descending stairs were perceived different mobility techniques. The findings indicated that mobility training has a positive impact on various aspects of independent living skills, including social engagement, indoor movement, and outdoor movement. The study also identified barriers such as the lack of certified orientation and mobility specialists, inaccessible pathways, poor attitudes of sighted guides, and the absence of necessary equipment. It was recommended among others that, schools should invest in the training and certification of professionals who specialize in teaching mobility skills to individuals. Government should create awareness towards improving the accessibility of pathways and infrastructure in schools, public spaces, and transportation systems. Government should develop comprehensive and tailored mobility training programmes that encompass a range of techniques.
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