Barriers faced by parents/guardians in collecting their children with sensory impairment during (school) vacations : a survey study in the Namibian context

Abstract

Abstract

This survey study was a descriptive and explanatory of the knowledge, experience, opinions and feelings of some parent of younger children with hearing or visual impairment aged 4 12 years old. It was conducted with the main aim and objective to find out possible ways and means on how to help younger children with hearing or visual impairment, who do experience the long waiting period for their parents to come and pick them up for holiday time and even for long weekends in Namibia - (Special School) by investigating on barriers faced by parents. Survey as a design was chosen to enable the coverage of a large area for data collection

For obtaining information required the questionnaire was developed and applied as the main methods of data collection, document and literature review were carried through out the study though there were no exactly documented information on the area itself. The population of the study were some parents of the children who do experience the long waiting of their parents in a Special School in the northern part of Namibia. Criteria for sample were purposeful whereby children should have constantly experienced the long waiting situation or experiencing it for the first time. The long waiting period varies from three to five days after the school closed its doors for holiday, an issue that put the school management in an acquired situation and difficult positions. The management needs to consider the following in order to be able to help the remained children. . feeding, because the school kitchen closes for holiday . care supervision and protection, because the care gives/house mother and house father should go home for holiday and spend the time with their families.

The study find out that parents are faced with many barriers and this is due to the lack of support service, communication problem parents experiencing with their children at home. Parents also indicate that they have little experience about the child with hearing or visual impairment and other practical challenges. Considering the findings the study suggests that there is a need of educational programme for parents and community. And also the support service available needs to be well marketed so that it benefits all. Awareness campaign to be carried out from time to time to make sure that the message of positive attitudes towards children with disabilities and their families and parents is received by each and individual member of our society. Namibian parents of today should go back to their roots, the root of the responsibility looking at a child as a child for the society cared by every responsible parent.

The result of this study can serve as a reflective mirror especial by the school in which this study was conducted. The Ministry of Basic Education Sport and Culture and the Directorate of Special Needs Education and other mainline Ministries they can make use of the result so that they can look into the request by the four parents on the workshop on sign language, support services and so forth. None governmental organization can also make use of the information result to see to it that the children with hearing or visual impairment who will be their future members and their parents receive the support they will need. The school like Eluwa should be provided with transport of it own under it managerial. And in a case of a child who is known to be under the care of the grade parent can got assistance from the school and transported home, instead of a child to stay in the school for a week or so without proper care in terms of food and other necessities.