Teachers’ Knowledge and Practice of Accommodation Strategies for Pupils With Visual Impairment in Basic Schools

Abstract

This study investigated teachers’ knowledge and practice of accommodation strategies for pupils with visual impairment in basic schools in Owerri North Local Government of Imo state, Nigeria. The study was carried out to determine the level of basic school teachers’ knowledge and practice of accommodation strategies for pupils with visual impairment and to ascertain the extent of practice of accommodation strategies for pupils with visual impairment. Respondents were 80 basic school teachers selected through convenience sampling. Questionnaire on knowledge and practice of accommodation strategies for pupils with visual impairment (QASPVI) developed by the researchers and validated by specialists in measurement and evaluation was used to collect data for the study. Data collected were analyzed using frequency count, percentage, mean scores and standard deviation. Results show low level of knowledge of accommodation strategies among the respondents as 61.1% of the respondents were not aware of accommodation strategies for persons with visual impairment while 38.9% were aware. It was also found that the level of practice of accommodation strategies for pupils with visual impairment among the respondents was very low as shown by the weighted average ( =1.38; SD= 0.484). The need for regular in-service workshop for basic school teachers on accommodation strategies for pupils with visual impairment in Basic Schools in Owerri North Local Government Area and provision of necessary facilities and equipment such as resource room, braille machine, large prints, audiotapes, etc. which will enable teachers accommodate pupils with visual impairment in an inclusive classroom instruction were recommended.