Situation of Children with Visual

Impairments in Ethiopia

Presentation Layout

I. Understanding visual impairment

II. Prevalence and etiological conditions

III. Developmental effects of visual impairment

IV. Educational situation of children with visual

impairment

V. Early Identification and Intervention practices

VI. Inclusive Education : The Way of the Future

1. Understanding Visual Impairment

Children with Low Vision

Educated using sight Enlarged prints & magnification

Visual acuity measure :20/200-20/70

Visual acuity & Behavior

Visual Acuity- distant and near vision measures

Visual Behavior (educator’s focus) Personal factors

• Intelligence

• Motivation

Environmental factors • Family background

Educational definition

Educated using other channel from sight, Tactile and haptic perceptions (static and

dynamic) Visual Acuity measure : >20/200

(Shnellen chart)

DEGREE OF IMPAIRMENT & ALTERNATIVE DEFINITIONS

Category of vision Degree of Impairment Alternative Definitions

Normal Vision None -

Slight Near normal vision

Low Vision Moderate Moderate low vision

Severe Severe low vision. Counting fingers at 6m or

less

Blindness Profound Profound low vision or moderate blindness.

Counting fingers at 3m or less

Near-total Severe or near total blindness counting fingers

at 1m less or hand movements at 5m or less

Total Total blindness (including absence of the eye)

2. Prevalence of Visual Impairment in Ethiopia

Incidence and prevalence of visual impairment in Ethiopia

Onset of Visual Impairment

Age 0-2 3-5 6-9 10-12 13-15 15-25 No RES

Per cent

32% 16% 8% 16% 16%

Prevalence :30 %

3. Etiological conditions of visual Impairment

3.1 Disabling factors & types of Visual Impairment

Visual Impairment can be because of :

Congenital conditions &

Acquired conditions

Types of Visual Impairment

Trachoma (irritation and scaring of cornea)

Cataract (cloudiness of the lens)

Glaucoma (pressure within the eye)

Refractive errors, diabetic retinopathy etc.

3.3 Causes of VI Ethiopia

3.

4. Developmental Profile of Children

with Visual Impairment

4.1 Language Development

(The Blind & The Child with Low vision)

a) Motor and physical development b)Cognitive & language

c) Social-emotional conditions

4.2 Cognitive and Learning Characteristics

A. Impact of lack of Interaction Psychosocial situation (cognitive, emotional

& behavioral factors)

A. Learning Characteristics Onset/family & social environment Visual acuity & Visual Behavior

The Blind The Low vision

5. Educational Status of Children with Visual Impairment (special class in Bahir Dar)

5.1 Educational Status of Children with Visual Impairment

6. Educational Status of Children with Visual Impairments

(blind and low vision) Type of schools

• Special schools

• Special classes

• Inclusive schools n

Challenges• Space & facilities

• Teachers qualification

7. Early Intervention and inclusive

practices

Early Intervention Traditional practices

Home-based services

Early childhood education

Inclusive Practices Discussions Challenges of IE

Areas of enhancement for the Blind

Orientation and mobility   Listening skill training Braille training (braille writer, slates &

styles) Talking books and calculators

Areas of educational intervention

Residual Vision Training Enlarged prints (enhanced image

devices Closed - circuit TV (enlarge print

materials) Optical aids

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. What is the difference between visual acuity and visual behavior? (Psychology students)

2. How do people in your community perceive persons with visual impairment? How do you assess the engagement of the blind people in the community ? (Social work and international students)

3. Identify the differences in the educational consideration of the blind and the child with low visions. (Pedagogy and education students)

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Discuss about speech and language development of the blind and the low vision. (Language students)

2. Discuss about the psychosocial conditions of persons with visual impairment? Consider the situation of the blind and the low vision . (Anthropology students )

Thank You !!