Availability of Electronic Braille and Utilization by Visually Impaired Pupils and Students in Inclusive Schools in South-South, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined availability of electronic Braille and utilization by visually impaired pupils and students in inclusive schools in South-South, Nigeria. Two objectives, research questions and hypotheses were raised to guide the study. Descriptive survey research design was employed. The population for the study was 302 visually impaired library users in ten (10) inclusive schools in South-South, Nigeria. All the visually impaired library users in the ten (10) inclusive schools were sampled using census sampling technique. A researcher-developed interview schedule known as “Availability of Electronic Braille and Utilization by Visually Impaired Pupils and Students Questionnaire (AEBUVIPSQ)” was used in collecting data for the study. It was divided into two sections. Sections ‘A’ and ‘B’. Section ‘A’ contained items generated to elicit responses in line with the independent variable while section ‘B’ elicited information on the dependent variable. The instrument was face validated by the researchers. The researchers and trained research assistants administered the copies of the instrument. The data generated was analyzed using mean, standard deviation to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the hypotheses at .05 levels of significance. The result showed that there is a significant influence of the availability of electronic Braille on utilization by visually impaired pupils and students in inclusive schools in South-South, Nigeria. The study concluded that the provision of electronic Braile enhanced patronage by visually impaired pupils and students in inclusive schools in South-South, Nigeria. It recommended among others that management of inclusive schools in Nigeria should equip inclusive schools with adequate electronic Braile and electronic note takers to enhance learning and research of the visually impaired pupils and students.