Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2003-01
An investigation into the mobility and independence needs of children with visual impairment. Part 1: The development of a mobility and independence curriculum framework
This paper, the first of two, describes a recent research project that investigated the mobility and independence (M&I) needs of children with visual impairment who are educated in mainstream schools. It describes the background to the project, the chosen research methods and approach, and then presents the findings relating to the first aim of the project, the investigation of the key mobility and independence skills required by children with visual impairment. From the research, a mobility and independence curriculum framework was developed, and recommended to be the basis underpinning mobility and independence education provided by education services in the UK.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Aplin, G. (2001) 'Some thoughts on micromobility'. Visability, 33, Autumn 2001.
2.
Blasch, B., Weiner, W. & Welsh, R. (1997) Foundations to Orientation and Mobility. 2nd Edition. New York: American Foundation for the Blind.
3.
British Columbia Ministry of Education (1999 ) Framework for Independent Travel: A Resource for Orientation and Mobility Discussion. Canada: British Columbia Ministry of Education. Special Programs Branch. ISBN 0-7726-3679-5.
4.
Dawkins, J. (1991) Models of Mainstreaming for Visually Impaired Pupils . London: HMSO.
5.
Disability Rights Commission (2002) Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Part 4: Code of Practice for Schools. London: TSO.
6.
Dodson-Burk, B. & Hill, E.W. (1989) An Orientation and Mobility Primer for Families and Young Children. New York: American Foundation for the Blind.
7.
Franklin, A., Keil, S., Crofts, K. & Cole-Hamilton, I. (2001) Shaping the Future. Research Report 2: The Educational Experiences of 5 to 16 Year-Old Blind and Partially Sighted Children and Young PeopleLondon: RNIB.
8.
Gregory, R.L. (1987) The Oxford Companion to the Mind. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
9.
Lee, M. ( 1988) A Case for Mobility. Edinburgh: Scottish Sensory Centre. Available at: <http://www.ssc.mhie.ac.uk/docs/mlee.html> [Accessed 30/09/02].
10.
Lewis, S. & Iselin, S. (2002) A comparison of the independent living skills of primary students with visual impairments and their sighted peers: a pilot study. Journal of Visual Impairment & Blindness, May 2002, 335-44.
11.
McCall, S. (1997) 'Historical perspectives'. In Mason, H., McCall, S., Arter, C., McLinden, M., Stone, J., (Eds), Visual Impairment: Access to Education for Children and Young People. London: David Fulton Publishers, pp.1-12.
12.
Pavey, S., Douglas, G., McLinden, M., McCall, S. & Arter, C. (2002a) Steps to Independence: The Mobility and Independence Needs of Children with a Visual Impairment. Recommendations and Summary ReportLondon: RNIB.
13.
Pavey, S., Douglas, G., McCall, S., McLinden, M. & Arter, C. (2002b) Steps to Independence: The Mobility and Independence Needs of Children with a Visual Impairment. Full Research Report. Available online (see below).
14.
Skellenger, A. & Hill, E. (1997) 'The preschool learner'. In Blasch, B., Weiner, W. and Welsh, R. (Eds), Foundations to Orientation and Mobility. 2nd Edition. New York: American Foundation for the Blind.
15.
Stone, J. (1995) Mobility for Special Needs. London: Cassell.
16.
Stone, J. (1997) 'Mobility and independence skills'. In Mason, H., McCall, S., Arter, C., McLinden, M. and Stone, J. (Eds), Visual Impairment: Access to Education for Children and Young People. London : David Fulton Publishers, pp.159-68.
17.
Welsh, R. & Blasch, B. (1980) Foundations of Orientation and Mobility. 1 st EditionNew York: American Foundation for the Blind.
18.
The research team work within the Visual Impairment Centre for Teaching and Research (VICTAR), School of Education, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT. Tel: 0121 414 6733. Email: victar-enquiries@bham.ac.uk Web: http://www.education.bham.ac.uk/research/victar/
