Influence of Tactual Orientation Skills on the Attainment of Self-Autonomy of Persons with Severe Visual Impairments in the English-Speaking (North West and South West) Regions, Cameroon
Keywords:
Communication skills, Severe Visual Impairments, Self-Autonomy, Persons With Severe Visual ImpairmentsAbstract
One outcome of vision loss in persons with severe visual impairments is that they are forced to develop compensatory skills especially communication skills that can give them some self-autonomy in carrying out their education, career and meet up with life goals. Tactual orientation skills amongst others are communications skills needed to give them some level of self-autonomy. This study therefore aimed at investigating the influence of tactual orientation skills on the attainment of self-autonomy of persons with severe visual impairments in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon. The mixed methods sequential explanatory design was adopted for the study. Data were collected from a sample of 286 persons with severe visual impairments. Data were collected with seven items on a Likert scale questionnaire and an interview guide for persons with severe visual impairments. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using frequency distributions, percentages, and mean scores while the. Spearman’s rho correlation test was used to verify hypothesis and make inferences. Qualitative data were analysed thematically with the aid of themes-groundings-quotations. Findings showed that Tactual orientation skills (R =0. 713) significantly and positively influenced the attainment of self-autonomy in persons with severe visual impairments. Descriptive findings also showed that the acquisition of tactual orientation skills gives persons with severe visual impairments self-autonomy in carrying out their daily activities, education, work and professional life. This implies that with these compensatory tactual orientation skills, they are capable of carrying out their lives with little or no support from those around them. It was recommended that, the state and parents should make available the necessary assistance needed by persons with severe visual impairments to develop their compensatory tactual orientation skills needed for the attainment of self-autonomy.
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