The Experiences of Visually Impaired Children and Functionally Blind - Essay Example

?A letter to the Ministry of Education concerning challenges faced by visually impaired children YOU AND I WELFARE MOVEMENT,PRIVATE BAG, EDINBURGH. THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF INTERESTS AND DISABILITY, PRIVATE BAG, EDINBURG. To whom it may concern, Dear sir/madam, Re: Special education for the visually impaired children in our nation. This is to bring to your attention the plight of visually impaired children in the country. The needs of these children are not being addressed as they should; being needy children they need special consideration. The counties and provincial budget estimates allocated to cater for this special group does not match the number of children who are blind and visually impaired. It is to a certain extent costly for parents and guardians to have the sole responsibility over these needy children, more especially in matters of education. The entire society should unite in order to make these children feel incorporated. The government through your Ministry of Education should be the role model towards this, by providing sufficient funds to cater for their education. Our major concern in this issue is of paramount importance considering the parental feelings towards education of this group. In the study that was unveiled recently through a journal on the Parental attitudes towards the education of visually impaired children, whose findings showed that out of 540 visually impaired children aged between 7 and 10 years only 300 attended schools. The question is what becomes of the remaining 240? The fact is that their future is doomed. The research established that half of this sampled group attends special school and the others attended integrated schools. This survey is a clear indication that the number of parents who can afford to pay for their children’s education in integrated and special schools is much less than 50%. This has a serious implication on the lives of this young generation both on their social and educational integration. It is also noted that there is a difference in the behavior of these needy children depending on whether they attended special schools or integrated ones. According to the article cited above, the learners who attended integrated schools had a balanced social and emotional behavior while those in special schools had more challenges on the same. Visually challenged children who are day scholars have a chance of interacting with their siblings on a more regular basis as compared to those in residential schools. This in turn enables them build up a strong relationship with their siblings. In due course, they feel accepted in their families and the entire society despite their visual limitations. It is quite discernible that when children with special needs are placed to learn together with normal children they develop better holistically than when they are separated. In Consideration of the above mentioned issues, it is therefore appropriate to propose that the government gets geared towards funding building more integrated day schools than special schools. It is however important to note that as much as integration system of learning is preferred there are cases of insensitive teachers who have been reported to mistreat children in schools. They therefore instead of encouraging learners end up frustrating them making learners develop a rejection attitude towards people. This kind of behavior from teachers has to be kept in check and stern disciplinary measures must be taken against them. All teachers should be equipped with Special education skills as part of their course during their years of training. The teachers who motivate the visually impaired learners should in addition be recognized and rewarded. Their remuneration and benefits should be raised than those who teach children without disabilities. This will serve as a way of motivating them in their duty towards helping this needy group. This way, the learners’ education will be improved and in addition develop a feeling of appreciation and that they have the same right to education as everybody else. In addition to the above issues, your department of interests and disability should come up with ways of enlightening the parents and guardians who are faced with the challenge of bringing up blind and visually impaired children. Seminars and trainings should be conducted to help give insight to these parents some of whom may not be having any information concerning handling needy children. They need to be made aware of potential challenges their children may face. As much as they need to be treated just as the normal children, parents need to know that they have to make some adjustments but not set restrictions due to their condition. This will enable them deal better with the children throughout their developmental stages especially during adolescence as it is at this stage that they are most vulnerable. For a nation to move forward there has to be consideration for all citizens, the government through the ministry of interests and disabilities should provide information on care for the needy especially to the immediate family members. Another study conducted in the country reveals the experiences of visually impaired children and functionally blind as adolescents through an article. The journal article entitled, “Perceptions of the Impact of Visual Impairment on the Lives of Adolescents” brings into the limelight the experiences of 10 adolescents with visual impairment and their best friends. The article focuses on the relationship of these children with their teachers, parents and other members of the family. In the article the subjects feel that their friends understand them much better than their teachers and family. They claim that at times their teachers do not take consideration of their feelings while teaching; this is experienced especially in the integrated schools. When it comes to identifying objects using sight during lessons, these children are not given any special treatment considering their disability status. This is very embarrassing and de-motivating to both parents and their children. Your ministry should look into ways of integrating Information and Communication Technology in teaching and learning as this will cater for the needs of the blind and visually impaired children. Through the use of ICT in schools, the normal learners and the visually impaired can be incorporated in teaching without disadvantaging the handicapped because of their condition. In conclusion, it is in our view that though the government has tried to introduce special education for the blind and visually impaired there is still a lot to be done. There is a need for adjustment and adoption of the sentiments in this letter. Our feeling and wish as You and I Welfare Movement is to make special arrangement to enable every child regardless of his/her disability get the best education possible. We hope and belief that the government shares the same sentiments. It is our sincere hope that you shall consider these suggestions when coming up with new policies. Yours faithfully, Brown Jonathan Director, You and I Welfare Movement References: Kirk, S.A. and Gallagher, L. In: J. Wood (1989), Mainstreaming. Toronto, Merill. Lakshmi, M. (2002). “Parental Perspective towards the Education of visually impaired Children”. Michigan, University of Michigan. Rosenblum, P. (2004). “Perceptions of the Impact of Visual Impairment on the Lives of Adolescents”. New York. Read More