An Interpretative Study on Dimensions and Factors Supporting the Construction of Functional Assessment Scale for Developing Educational Programme of Blind in Yemen : Perspective of Teachers and Paraents

Abstract

Studies in special education field in developed countries have paid more attention to the dimensions that need to be included in the functional assessment scale for developing special educational program for blind students, these dimensions could help blind students in different aspects such as daily living skills, academic skills, personal skills, and use assistive technology in the educational, vocational and social life. The same has not been found in Yemen therefore, this is consideredthe research gap for this study. Twenty studies related to construction of functional assessment scale for developing educational programme of blind have been reviewed forthis study, interviews with 20 Arabian special educator who are currently teaching and training the blind students in Yemen and 20 parents of blind students were conducted to understand how they are assessing the functional skills in educational programs,determine the most significant dimensions, sub-dimensions, along with the criteria that are more required in develop the functional assessment. The interviews’ questionswereframed based onthe research gap and considering purpose of this study. The collected data were analyzed by build themes from the interviews and prior research findings. The study found that there is a need to build a functional assessment scale of educational program for blind students in Yemen. Also, the main dimensions that need to be studdedwere found.