TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL I

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS v

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS viii

LIST OFTABLES

DEFINITION OF OPERATIONAL TERMS x

CHAPTER ONE 1

INTRODUCTION 1

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Background of the Study 1

1.2 statement of the problem 2

1.3 Purpose of the study 2

1.4 Research objectives 3

1.5 Research questions 3

1.6 Scope of the Study 3

1.7 Significance of the study 3

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW 5

2.0 Introduction 5

V

2.1 Historical Background and Development of Special Needs Education 5

2.2 Evolution of the Status of the Blind Globally 6

2.3 The development of Special Needs Education in Kenya 6

2.4 Inclusive Education Programmed in Kenya 7

2.5 Academic Performance of Learners with Visual Impairment 7

2.6 Culture and Attitude 8

2.7 Curriculum 8

CHAPTER THREE 10

METHODOLOGY 10

3.0 Introduction 10

3.1 Research Design 10

3.2 Research Environment 10

3.3 Population 10

3.4 Sample Size Determination 11

3.5. Research instruments 11

3.6. Data Analyses 11

CHAPTER FOUR 12

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION 12

4.0 Introduction 12

4.1 Description of Respondents 12

4.4 Academic Performance of Learners with Visual impairment 13

4.5 Intervention Measures to Boost Academic Performance of Low Vision

Learners 14

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4.5.1 Provision of Teaching and Learning Resources 15

4.5.2 Attitude of Other People towards the V. 1 Learners 15

4.6 Guidance and counseling programs 16

CHAPTER FIVE 17

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDTION 17

5.0 Introduction 17

5.1 Summary of Findings 17

5.2 Conclusion 18

5.4 Recommendations 19

5.4 Suggested Areas for Further Research 20

REFERENCES 21

APPENDICES 22

APPENDIX A: ACCEPTANCE LETTER 22

APPENDIX 13: QUESTIONNAIRES FOR LEARNERS WITH VISUAL

IMPAIRMENT 23

APPENDIX C: QUESTIONNAIRE FOR TEACHERS 25