Influence Of Orientation And Mobility Training On Social Integration Of Adults With Visual Impairment In Kano State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Influence of Orientation and Mobility Training (OMT) on Social Integration (SI) of Adults with Visual Impairments (VI) in Kano State. The study sought to achieve the following objectives: influence of OMT on Self-Esteem; Self-reliance; Community Participation and Economic participation of adults with VI aged 25 to 45. Havighurst‟s Developmental Task Theory was used to guide the study. The study used descriptive survey research design. Three geographical zones of Kano State had been selected as the location of the study that is, South, Central and Northern regions. This locale was chosen due to significant number of persons with VI and rehabilitation centers. The population of the study was 512 adults with VI, 44 Social Welfare Officers and 72 Parents, the total of 628 target populations. Stratified random sampling technique was used in selecting 18 out of 44 local governments. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used in selecting 200 adults with VI out of 512, 18 Social welfare Officers out of 44 and 22 Parents out of 72, totaling to 240 sample sizes out of 628 target population. The instruments for data collection were questionnaires including: State Self-Esteem Scale, Self-Reliance Achievement Scale, Likert scale instrument for Measuring Community Involvement. Focus Group Discussion and Interviews were also used. To ascertain validity and reliability of the instruments, test retest was done and pilot study conducted. Quantitative and Qualitative methods were administered to analyze the data. Questionnaires were analyzed quantitatively using a Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20, while interviews and Focus Group Discussion were coded and presented in a narrative form qualitatively. Findings were presented using descriptive methods. The major finding was most of respondents believed that OMT influences SI of Adults with VI. Findings revealed that O&MT has positive influence on social integration of Adults with visual impairment. The study recommended that Government through the Ministry of Education should include orientation and mobility training in regular school curriculum. This will burst the self-esteem of persons with visual impairment and a harmonious relationship between them and the society. Government through the ministry of women affairs should provide more gadgets be it a traditional collapsible white canes or the electronic collapsible white canes as well as relevant instructional materials to improve their access to toilets and birth rooms. Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs should established more rehabilitation centres and keep on providing orientation and mobility training to ensure that the training is adequate. And to adopt expanded core curriculum used in United State of America to replace the existing one which does not future O&M as a training subject. Finally, Government through the ministry of labor, Nongovernmental organizations and the wealthy individuals should provide adequate funds for professionals to provide training and sheltered workshops to increase employment for adults with visual impairment in the public and private sectors. This will facilitated their fully integration in the society.