ICT KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCIES OF STUDENTS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the knowledge and competencies of students with visual impairment in the University of Educagtion, Winneba about information and communication technology (ICT). The study adopted the case study research design, where 33 students with visual impairment were randomly sampled from a population of 88 students with visual impairment. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse the data. The results of the study indicated that the participants were knowledgeable in some aspects of ICT; specifically, in activities that fall in the category of basic computer operations while they lacked knowledge and competence in other areas, including activities that were categorized under software and applications, word processing, email and other communication platform, and web browsing and online. Also, the study revealed that the competencies of the participants were related directly with their ICT knowledge. Again, the study found that there were several challenges that students with visual impairment in the University faced in acquiring ICT knowledge and competencies, such as poor internet connectivity, lack of technical support, lack of personnel support, and inaccessibility of ICT tools. Again, the study reported that if strategies such as enhanced accessibility of ICT tools, adequate personnel and technological support were put in place, the challenges that students with visual impairment encounter would be eliminated or reduced drastically. The study concluded that students with visual impairment who participated in the study were knowledgeable and competent in some areas of ICT. A major recommendation therefore was that students should be trained by competent ICT personnel who understand the technological needs of students with visual impairment.