Accommodating the Needs of Students with Visual Impairment in Ethiopian National Examinations
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Date
2015-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to investigate to what extent Ethiopian National Examinations
are accommodating candidates with visual impairment. In this study, blind and low sighted
students who are admitted for National examinations, exam development experts, exam
administration experts, school teachers and administrators, leaders of single and cross disability
organizations(visually impaired persons), officials of National Educational Assessment and
Examinations Agency(NEAEA) and the Federal Ministry of Education are participated. The
method used in this study was mixed. Questionnaire, interview, focus group discussion, and
documentary analysis were used for data collection. The findings of the study indicated that
Ethiopian National Examinations were not accommodating candidates with visual impairment.
In Ethiopian National Examinations, candidates with visual impairment are examined in a
similar standard with the rest “sighted” candidates. According to the findings, attitudinal
problems in enforcing the UN convention of Persons with Disabilities, absence of accessible
learning materials and school facilities, rigid curriculum, lack of awareness, and absence of
technology which is the best equalizer for persons with disabilities, absence in using appropriate
accommodation for SWVI are among the major challenges affecting students directly and
indirectly in National Examinations. Data from NEAEA has also indicated the achievement of
blind students in Ethiopian National Examinations was far behind the “sighted” candidates. In
general the research recommends for the overall improvement in assessment of candidates with
visual impairment including the use of different accommodation alternatives and technologies
during national examination development and administration, allocation of earmarked budget
for accessible educational materials and assistive technologies as well as infrastructural
arrangements
Key words: students with visual impairment, national examinations, accommodations, disability,
assessment etc
Description
Keywords
National Examinations, Students With Visual Impairment, Accommodations, Disability, assessment etc