Preferences of Students with Visual Impairment between Braille and Screen Reader’s Software

Faiza Jaleel, Faisal Anis

Abstract

Innovations in technology put great emphasis on the use of technology and
provide the variety of learning medium to students with visual impairment,
such as screen reader software and braille as learning medium. The
purpose of this study was to explore the preferences of students with visual
impairment about their learning medium i.e. braille and screen reader’s
software. The major question of the study was, what is the difference
between braille and screen reader’s software preferences of students with
visual impairment? It was a descriptive study. The population of this study
consisted of students with visual impairment who experience braille and
screen reader software as learning medium. The purposive sampling
technique was used to select a sample of 70 students. A five-point rating
scale was developed that was consisted on 20 questions. These questions
were validated by expert’s opinion and reliability was also checked by
pilot study. Value of coefficient alpha was 0.711. Data was analyzed by
using descriptive and inferential analysis techniques. It was concluded that
students have specific preferences of learning media based on the
educational setting, their grade levels and the task being undertaken.