Evaluation of the Level of Students with Visual Impairments in Turkey in Terms of the Concepts of Mobility Prerequisites (Body Plane/Traffic)

Abstract

Purpose: Visually impaired people are weak in terms of their learning words and concepts by hearing them and their experience of the world with their bodies. In addition to developing a standardized assessment tool in the Development of Orientation and Mobility Skill Assessment Tool (OMSAT/YOBDA) for Visually Impaired Students Project, supported by TUBITAK, the purpose of this study was to determine to what extent visually impaired students throughout the country had the prerequisite concepts (body plane/traffic) they needed in order to use their orientation and mobility skills. Research Methods : The study is a descriptive-level survey study which aims to present the existing situation. A total of 402 visually impaired students from 16 schools for the visually impaired (n=320) and among the inclusion students in the immediate surroundings (n=82) studying during the 2015–2016 academic year participated in our research. The implementers personally worked with the visually impaired students and made markings for the OMSAT. The data were entered in the system. Findings: At the end of the study, it was concluded that the levels of mastery of the traffic concepts required for orientation and mobility were very low among students studying at schools for the visually impaired as well as in mainstream contexts, and that their performance levels regarding concepts related to body planes were relatively higher. Implications for Research and Practice: It is assumed that the research results will form a basis for preparing IEPs, improving teaching programs, and conducting other field research on this subject.