The effectiveness of orientation and movement educationon increasing self-efficacy and self-expressing of visuallyimpaired students

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of orientation and mobility education on increasing self-efficacy and self-expression of visually impaired students. The research method was quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test.

The sample size consisted of 26 students with visually impaired in the academic year of 2018-2019. The sample group was divided in two groups of control (13) and experimental (13). Self-efficacy and self-expression were evaluated by Sherer’s Self-efficacy Scale (1982) and Gambler-Verichi’s Expression Questionnaire (1982). Orientation and Mobility teaching was conducted through “Guidebook for Orientation & Mobility” printed by Exceptional Education Organization, in eight sessions. To analyze the results, descriptive statistics and then multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA) were used.

The results indicated that Orientation and Mobility (O&M) program increased self-efficacy in the experimental group versus the control group. The O&M program also increased self-expression of the test group against the control group. O&M skills were significantly improved in the experimental group compared to the control group.

The results of this study showed that teaching O&M skills to students who are visually impaired, increased their self-efficacy and self-expression and improved their living conditions.