A comparative study on transitional needs of Iranian and Conadian students with visual impairments

The aim of this study was to survey career needs and transferable skills of iranian blind and low vision students and compare it with their canadian counterpart. To survey career needs of Iranian blind students and compare it with Canadian blind students, 60 blind and low vision boys and girls from among 3 blind schools in Tehran: Narjes, Martyr Mohebbi and Abdol Azim and 12 blind and low vision Canadian students were voluntarily selected. The research method was survey and Data were gathered through a self-made questionnaire and were analyzed using X2 Findings indicated that Iranian blind students comparing with Canadian blind students did not have enough career information to make a proper educational and vocational choice and are not sure of obtaining their choice. They were also different In their evaluation of the role and effectiveness of their school guidance and counseling services regarding their career, adjustment and family problems. In other word, Iranian blind students were not happy with their school guidance and counseling program and believed that school has not prepared them for a relatively safe career choice. Therefore,regarding findings of this study,it recommended that a career education course,especially designed for blind students, be taught and evaluated as to its usefulness. Also,special courses about familiarity with educational and vocational fields, in which visual impairment is not effective, should be offered for counselors of blind schools.