Abstract:
The study examined the utilisation of information communication technology
in the training and education of students with visual impairment in tertiary
institutions in Ghana. The study employed the cross-sectional descriptive
survey design using questionnaire for data collection to provide answers to
the research questions. The study population included resource persons and
all students with visual impairment across three Public Universities in Ghana
namely: University of Cape Coast, University of Ghana and University of
Education, Winneba. In all, 20 resource persons and 116 students with visual
impairment were valid to participate in the study. Data were analysed using
Means, frequencies and standard deviation. The study revealed that ICT tools
are available but inadequate in the three tertiary institutions in Ghana. It was
established that ICT tools were fairly accessible in some locations in the
various tertiary institutions. Again, it was revealed that ICT tools (hardware
and software) are difficult to be used by students with visual impairment and
that the students lacked the necessary skills to utilise ICT tools. It was further
revealed that utilisation of ICT in the training and education of students with
visual impairment has been hindered by various barriers of which inadequate
training opportunities was the leading barrier. Students with visual
impairment believed that ICT will assist them to learn independently and
suggested that more ICT tools should be procured. It was recommended to
the Ministry of Education and tertiary institutions to procure more ICT tools.
Also, students should be introduced to more ICT skills.
