In order to develop and provide appropriate transition programs for visually
impaired students with multiple disabilities, this study aims to identify characteristics
of the actual education environment, the problems with the current transition education,
and to make suggestions for improvement.
The results show that:
Firstly, the number of visually impaired students with multiple disabilities has
increased steadily for the last five years. Over 50 percent of the students with
multiple disabilities are assigned to irregular special classes. The subject teachers or
home room teachers teach them activities of daily living and social and cognitive
skills. The relevant teachers discuss and define the educational content, and use
programs which have been developed by special education teachers for students with
multiple disabilities.
Secondly, Over 85 percent of teachers think that the current transition education is
not very helpful for the visually impaired students with multiple disabilities and
believe that vocational teachers should take charge of the education. For a more
effective education, special classes and facilities should be assigned to the visually
impaired students with multiple disabilities. The thing that teachers put more emphasis on is the training of skills for independent living, communication and adaption to the
community, and basic learning abilities.
Thirdly, the problems identified in the current transition education include a lack of
adequate curriculum options, insufficient equipment and facilities, and a shortage of
personnel, including assistant teachers. The required outside support includes program
development, administrative and financial support from the government, and more
training and assignment of special education teachers for visually impaired students
with multiple disabilities. The abilities to teach independent living skills, to perform
diagnostic evaluations, and to establish an individualized transition plan must be required
of the transition education teachers to provide valuable and effective skills for students
with multiple disabilities.