Orientation, independent movement and walking skills of visually impaired students
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the proficiency levels of orientation, independent mobility, and walking skills among students with visual impairment and to examine the distribution of these skills by age, gender, and educational level; thereby providing a basis for inferences regarding primary health care services in line with the findings obtained.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included primary and middle school students attending a school for the visually impaired as the study population (n=147). A total of 73 volunteer students with complete visual impairment were included in the study. Data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the Orientation and Independent Mobility Skills Checklist (OIMSC), and the Walking Skills Checklist (WSC). Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data obtained.
Results: Girls constituted 56.2% of the participants (n=41) and boys 43.8% (n=32). The mean age of the students was 11.10±1.98 years. It was determined that 28.8% of the participants (n=21) had insufficient walking skills and 23.3% (n=17) had insufficient orientation and independent mobility skills. When the sub-dimensions of the Orientation and Independent Mobility Skills Checklist (OIMSC) were examined, it was found that 61.6% of the students (n=45) had insufficient basic skills, 17.8% (n=13) had insufficient guided mobility skills, and 84.9% (n=62) had insufficient cane mobility skills. In addition, according to the Walking Skills Checklist (WSC) findings, 32.9% of the students (n=24) were unable to walk with their knees kept straight.
Conclusion: Although a significant proportion of students demonstrated competence in orientation skills and guided mobility, their basic competencies related to independent mobility and their cane-use skills were found to be largely insufficient. This highlights the importance of early identification, monitoring, and referral to appropriate supportive educational services for functional impairments related to orientation and independent mobility skills among students with visual impairment within primary health care services.
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