Provision of Information Services to the Visually Impaired Students at Thika School for the Blind

Abstract

Provision of information services is central to learning and instructional process in schools including those of the visually impaired students. However, in most cases subject materials and learning activities are designed with normal sighted in mind. Whilst educators have vastly improved teaching techniques and facilities, it is still a problem that visually impaired students experience difficulties accessing the ordinary curriculum and has been worsened by the use of technology. The study was informed by the Moore’s Model of Social Needs and Wilson’s Model of Information Behaviour. The study was conducted using a case research and mainly used qualitatively and quantitatively approaches. Data was collected using interview schedules, the focus group guide and documentary review. The study establishes that provision of information to visually impaired students require improvement. The study concluded that authority and information providers in this area take recognition of visually information needs and channels of accessing information. The study’s recommends improvement of the existing information services, system and channel of disseminating information to visually impaired to serve them without discrimination.