Abstract:

The aim of this research was to examine relationship between the level of visual impairment and the affinity of the subjects towards information and communication technologies (ICTs) and also the nature of their most common use of computers. Initial research was executed through survey in between 2010 and 2012 on the sample of n=94 secondary students in Czech Republic with various degree of visual impairment, who were divided into three main categories (blindness, severe visual impairment and moderate visual impairment). Our research has shown significant correlations between the degree of visual impairment and the use ICTs in some of the observed areas. Blind students expressed in significantly higher proportion the will to use ICTs in their future occupation, we have also observed that they were significantly more likely to use ICTs in their education process and to obtain information. While there were no differences in the leisure use of the ICTs, blind users were most comfortable with them among the groups. Based on these results we formed recommendations for praxis. While the degree of visual impairment determinates aspect of motivation of the students and their preferences in the use of the ICTs, we must improve our education process and motivate students of various degrees of visual impairment to equally use ICTs in their education and towards the future employment, because these skills are nowadays essential for their successful inclusion in the information society of tomorrow.

Keywords:

Information and Communication Technology, Secondary Education, Special Education, Visual Impairment.