Non-visual teaching skills and strategies orientation and mobility instructors who are blind use to ensure the safety of the students with visual impairment

Abstract

In this qualitative study, three participants were observed and recorded while teaching in a variety of environments. The purpose of this study was to confirm the findings of the interviews and to learn more about these non-visual teaching skills and strategies. Using an observation checklist, the research team met on a weekly basis to view and code the recordings from January to April 2022. Member checks were completed by all participants via Zoom meetings. The participants were three males who were visually impaired employed at rehabilitation centers for individuals with low vision/blindness. Four themes emerged from the analysis of the observation data: auditory monitoring, tactile monitoring, instructor positioning, and Structured Discovery Cane Travel (SDCT®). The results of this study demonstrate the connection between the current study and the previous three studies completed by the research team. It is evident that the participants engaged in different strategies to monitor safety and promote independent travel for their students. Non-visual skills were an important component for SDCT that all participants utilized. The findings of this study can be used by university faculty from orientation and mobility (O&M) personnel preparation programs as a resource when they have students with visual impairment in blindfold/simulation cane courses. This research also supported faculty to identify best teaching practices among all programs and to integrate these practices into their curricula to strengthen their programs. For success in life, teachers of students with visual impairment and O&M instructors need to promote self-advocacy.