A situational analysis on the availability and access to computers for educational purposes by learners with visual impairements in Zambi: A case of three basic and three high schools for the blinds

Abstract

Computers have become a huge and indispensable gadget in supporting the daily activities of all human beings. One of the areas which seem to benefit a lot from computers is the educational sector. Using computers, lessons are made simple through printing work in bulk, searching for information, communicating with learners and so on. This study sought to establish the availability of computers in Zambian schools for the blind and determine how accessible the computers were to blind learners. Furthermore, the study sought to investigate the benefits of using computers for the blind in the country. The study revealed alarming low levels of computers in schools for the blind. The ratios for one computer to the number of learners were intriguing and very saddening. The study also showed that 16/18 learners with visual impairments had no access to computers. Meaning the majority of blind learners significantly miss out on the benefit that can come from computers. In order to collect the information presented above, a qualitative research approach was used. Thirty respondents participated in the study. Twelve were administrators and teachers while eighteen were pupils. The respondents recommended that schools needed to be stocked with working computers installed with speech programs.