The Effectiveness of a Training Program in Improving the Competencies and Skills of Female Specialists to Work with People with Visual Impairments

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a training program in improving the competencies and skills of female specialists working with people with visual impairments and to determine if there were any statistically significant differences in the improvement of competencies and skills due to variables such as specialization, years of experience, prior knowledge of a blind person, and training courses in the field of visual impairment. The study sample consisted of 10 female specialists from special education, visual impairment, and early childhood in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A 70-item scale was used to measure the competencies and skills of female specialists before and after the training program. The scale was divided into five domains: knowledge of visual impairments and their impact on learning, communication and interaction strategies, adaptation of teaching materials and classroom environment, assessment and evaluation strategies, and collaboration and professional development. The study's results revealed a significant improvement in the competencies and skills of female specialists after participating in the training program, with an average percentage improvement of 41.4%. No statistically significant differences were found in the improvement of competencies and skills due to the variables of specialization, years of experience, prior knowledge of a blind person, and training courses in the field of visual impairment. In conclusion, the training program was found to be effective in improving the competencies and skills of female specialists working with people with visual impairments. The results highlight the importance of providing specialized training to professionals in this field to support better the learning and development of children with visual impairments.