The Role of Resource Persons of the Visually Impaired in Mainstreaming Educational Institutions in Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the role of resource persons in facilitating the education of the visually impaired in the mainstreaming institutions in Ghana. All the eight mainstreaming institutions for the visually impaired in Ghana were used for the study. A total sample of III students with visual impairment, 8 heads of the institutions/departments and 14 resource persons were selected for the study through purposive sampling technique. Relevant data were gathered using two sets of questionnaires, an interview guide and an observation schedule. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data. The study established that, resource persons were not performing all the direct and indirect roles expected of them according to the desired standard and this was in spite of their high academic and professional qualifications. The resource persons encountered a number of problems such as inadequate resources and lack of appropriate equipment. It is, therefore, recommended that resource rooms should be provided with adequate and appropriated equipment and materials; and also, they should be exposed to periodic in-service training.


IFE Psychologia Vol.12(2) 2004: 99-115