Department of psychology the problems of living as persons with visual impairment in Hossana Town
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Date
2007-04
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Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
This study was undertaken to explore the living situations of persons with
visual impairment in hosanna town. To this end, 20 persons with visual
impairment, 30 officials (experts) from concerned organization, 2 religious
leaders and 2 community elders purposely selected in all 3 kebele
administration of Hossana town to gather information pertaining to the
living situations of persons with visual impairment.
Basic questions raised •to address this issue include background
information of the sample population, their current living conditions, social
status, beliefs (views) external and internal locus of control, and other
various factors that affect their living situations.
The study used semi-structured, structured, open-ended interview
questions and focus group discussion. Qualitative and quantitative
methods were used to analyze the data .
The result of the study indicated that 12 were illiterate individuals. where
14 of them happened to lead their life by begging. In addition to the
economic hardship, segregation and stigmatization, negative attitudes
(views) and stereotyped views are the major social problems encountered
by visually impaired individuals. As it was found that majority of them
suffer from high feeling of loneliness, helplessness and low self-esteem.
Most of their problems raised due to lack of preventive measures, skill
training, income generating programs, absence of medical services, special
education services, ignorance of the people and low awareness.
On the basis of the study findings, suggestions to improve the living
situations of persons with visual impairments are provided .
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Keywords
psychology