Challenges of, and Coping Strategies Employed by, Students with Visual Impairments in South Eastern States of Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this research was to identify the major challenges and preferred coping strategies of students with visual impairment in regular secondary schools in the South-Eastern States of Nigeria. The descriptive survey method was employed for the study with 120 students with visual impairment who were drawn using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Two research questions were generated while four hypotheses were tested at 0.5 level of significance. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Mean and rank order and t-test statistical tools were used to analyze the collected data. The findings revealed that students with visual impairment in regular secondary schools faced challenges such as negative cultural/traditional belief system and obstruction by many architectural barriers among others. The preferred coping strategies were: ignoring comments and attitudes directed at them by the society; and relying on tap-recorded materials for daily transmission. Age and gender did not influence the challenges but affected the preferred coping strategies. The researchers recommend that stakeholders consider addressing these challenges through advocacy, education and counselling; class teachers should provide lasting experiences to all students irrespective of age and gender, and both male and female students should be exposed to different coping strategies that may suit their peculiar needs.