視覚特別支援学校における歩行指導の調査

本研究は、全国の視覚特別支援学校における歩行指導について、これまで注目されてこなかった、弱視と重複障害の児童生徒の指導の内容を調査することを目的とした。全校の視覚特別支援学校から得られた有効回答数は532名分であった。単一障害のうち、歩行指導を受けている盲者は132人、弱視者は118人であった。盲者は弱視者に比べ歩行指導を受けている者が有意に多かった。鉄道ホーム・列車乗降の指導を受けている者は、転落への不安を感じたことがないと答えた者が有意に多かった。鉄道ホーム・列車乗降の歩行指導を実施することでホームを歩行する際の不安を抑制する効果を見込むことができると考えられる。回答者532人のうち重複障害のある児童生徒は247人であった。そのうち白杖歩行をしている者は118人、小学2年生が最も低年齢であった。視力は0から0.4であった。歩行指導を受けている弱視または重複障害のある児童生徒の数は、盲の児童生徒の数に比べて少なく、アンケート結果から、その背景には指導者の不足などが指摘された。

This research aims at investigating how the orientation and the mobility training are carried out in special needs schools for visual impairments throughout Japan, especially referring to the orientation for children suffering from low-vision and multiple disabilities, which has not drawn enough attention. We received 532 valid responses from the nationwide special needs schools for visual impairments. Comparing the students receiving the mobility training, 132 were blind, while 118 had low-vision. The number of blind students was significantly larger compared to those with low-vision, in the comparison of students receiving the mobility training. A significantly large number of students receiving the training on the railway platform for getting on and off the train answered that they had never felt scared of falling on the railroad track. It is assumed that carrying out the mobility training can be effective in freeing the students on the platform or getting on and off the train from becoming scared. Regarding the 532 respondents, the number of children suffering from multiple impairments was 247. Among them, 118 needed white sticks while walking and the youngest children were in the second grade of primary school. They had zero to 20/50 vision. The number of children with low-vision or multiple impairments who received the mobility training was smaller compared to those with blindness, which, according to the result of the questionnaire, was caused by the lack of trainers.