TRAINING THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED ON ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY SKILLS: THE CASE STUDY OF GARU-TEMPANE DISTRICT IN THE UPPER EAST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of mobility techniques in facilitating the movement of persons with visual impairments in and around their homes and communities. Its main focus is to explore avenues and strategies for effective training of orientation and mobility skills to these individuals with visual impairments in the Garu-Tempane District. An action research design was used to guide the study. A sample size of 10 people was involved in the study. The instruments used in gathering data were observation and interview. The data was analyzed to reflect the performance of the participants before and after the intervention. Appropriate graphs were used where necessary to clearly present data and conclusions were drawn with support evidence from reviewed literature. The study revealed that the skills acquired in sighted guide technique helped the visually impaired individuals to travel with the sighted persons without any difficulties. The sighted guide technique also helped the visually impaired person to adopt appropriate strategies to walk through narrow areas when carrying out their routine activities. The findings showed that the body protection technique helped the visually impaired to locate objects and to pick up an article, for instance from a shelf. The cane technique helped the people in the detection of any obstacles in front. It also helped the people in finding destination using the land marks. The skills acquired in cane technique helped the visually impaired people to cross streets by analyzing and identifying intersections and traffic pattern. The researcher recommended that persons with visual impairment should be introduced to basic orientation and mobility skills at the early stages in schools. Various strategies of pre-mobility skills should be taught to students with visual impairment in order to stimulate confidence for easy mobility and good physical development.