A Survey of Assistive Technology and Teacher Preparation Programs for Individuals With Visual Impairments
By Smith, Derrick W.; Kelley, Pat; Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, pp. 429-433Publication Date: July 2007
Survey of universities with teacher-preparation programs for teaching students with visual impairments and deaf-blindness to determine how assistive technology training is integrated into their curricula. Participants were 30 faculty members of the 38 university programs in North America that train teachers of students with visual impairments. The 15-question survey was conducted online using a tool called Select Survey ASP. After completion, the survey data were exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), a computer program used for statistical analysis. Of the 18 programs that offered specific AT courses, 3 offered generic or multi-disciplinary courses and 15 provided a specific course for teachers of individuals with visual impairments. The other 12 universities either embedded AT in a course as a unit or integrated it throughout the program. Other survey questions related to the specific competencies covered, and the level of knowledge students were perceived to have at the completion of the programs. AT devices explored were low vision, braille output, educational access, and independent living devices. The survey found that universities teach different assistive technologies and at different levels. The limitations of the survey and implications for future research are discussed.
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
