Accessibility of I.C.T tools to students with visual impairment in Ghana (a case study in Brong Ahafo region)

Abstract

The study looked at how accessible ICT tools are to students with visual impairment at the Wenchi Methodist Senior High School of Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. A total number of 38 respondents took part in the survey. The 38 respondents were made up of 20 males, representing 52.6% of the students and 18 females, also representing 47.24% of the students. The Wenchi Methodist Senior High School was targeted because it is the only school that takes charge of the education of students with visual impairment in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. Simple random sampling was used to select the respondents. The respondents were students with visual impairment in the Wenchi Methodist Senior High School. The instrument used for data collection in the study was a questionnaire. SPSS was used in generating the various output of the analysis of data that was collected. The main findings of the study were that, most teachers do not use the computer to give instructions in their lesson delivery to the students with visual impairment in the school. Also, inadequate ICT infrastructure in the school is another major factor inhibiting the integration of ICT into the teaching and learning process of students with visual impairment. The study also revealed that in spite of the fact that students with visual impairment have some computers at their disposal, most of them do not learn with those computers. It is therefore important that the government makes ICT facilities accessible to students with visual impairment. Training on how to use the computer for the purpose of learning should also be organized for students with visual impairment.