Situation of Children with Visual Impairments in Ethiopia

Presentation Layout Understanding visual impairment Prevalence and etiological conditions Developmental effects of visual impairment Educational situation of children with visual impairment Early Identification and Intervention practices 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% 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 Impact of lack of Interaction Psychosocial situation (cognitive, emotional & behavioral factors) 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 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 What is the difference between visual acuity and visual behavior? (Psychology students) 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) Identify the differences in the educational consideration of the blind and the child with low visions. (Pedagogy and education students)

QUESTIONS TO PONDER Discuss about speech and language development of the blind and the low vision. (Language students) Discuss about the psychosocial conditions of persons with visual impairment? Consider the situation of the blind and the low vision . (Anthropology students )

Thank You !!