Puerto Rican Family Involvement in the Orientation and Mobility Training of Their Children with Visual Impairments

• Other Authors: Fernández, Ruth Enid Otero (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Special Education; School management and organization
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_migr_etd-2417

This qualitative study was designed to investigate Puerto Rican Family involvement in the orientation and mobility training of their children with visual impairments. The study examined various aspects of parental participation, namely how Puerto Rican families of children with visual impairments define family involvement, and how they get involved in the orientation and mobility training of their children, how they encourage the use of orientation and mobility techniques in their children, and what meaning they make of their experiences. In addition, the research examined the teachers' perception of the parents' involvement in the orientation and mobility training of their children. Families of six children with visual impairment whose primary reading mode is Braille and their orientation and mobility teachers were interviewed in Spanish. Six narratives were presented to illustrate the findings of the interviews and observations of the families and teachers. Study findings show that although parents are supportive and interested in their children's education, special education professionals and the school system do not promote parental involvement. === A Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Services in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Summer Semester, 2004. === July 6, 2004. === Orientation And Mobility, Family Involvement === Includes bibliographical references. === Sandra Lewis, Professor Directing Dissertation; Sande Milton, Outside Committee Member; Barbara J. Edwards, Committee Member; Bruce Menchetti, Committee Member.