A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY TO UNDERSTAND THE PERCEPTION OF LOW VISION REHABILITATION AMONG BLIND SCHOOL TEACHERS OF PUNJAB, INDIA.

Abstract

Background: It revolves around the important need to comprehend the perspectives and perceptions of low vision rehabilitation among teachers in blind schools in Punjab, India. Visual impairment faces significant challenges especially in educational context in which rehabilitation services play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life and learning experiences for visually impaired. Punjab is a diverse region in education and knowledge and needs more investigation into knowledge, utilization and perceived effectiveness of low vision rehabilitation services and also understanding the perspectives of educators teaching in the schools plays an important role as they are at the forefront of facilitating the education and development of visually impaired students. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of blind schools regarding low vision rehabilitation through development of questionnaire. Methodology: This is a crossectional research design in which a questionnaire was developed having close ended questions covering all the aspects from demographic data to the knowledge, utilization and perceived effectiveness of low vision rehabilitation services. Then a pilot study was conducted to refine the questionnaire based on feedback and assure its reliability and validity. Then also final refinement of questionnaire was done through a focus group discussion with leading experts in optometry field. Ethical consideration was considered with approvals and informant consent and patient information from participants. Then data collection was done from school which included face to face interviews and online surveys. Quantitative data was   analysed using SPSS software. Results: After developing questionnaire it was implied to 40 individuals with mean age of 39.9 ± 5.7. Each question was thoroughly observed to see its feasibility of questionnaire. Conclusions: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the understanding, utilization and efficacy of rehabilitation services for individuals with visual impairments in educational settings.

Key-words: Low vision, Rehabilitation, Visually impaired, special educators