Accommodating The Needs Of Students With Visual Impairment In Ethiopian National Examinations

The purpose of this research is to investigate to what extent Ethiopian National Examinationsrnare accommodating candidates with visual impairment. In this study, blind and low sightedrnstudents who are admitted for National examinations, exam development experts, examrnadministration experts, school teachers and administrators, leaders of single and cross disabilityrnorganizations(visually impaired persons), officials of National Educational Assessment andrnExaminations Agency(NEAEA) and the Federal Ministry of Education are participated. Thernmethod used in this study was mixed. Questionnaire, interview, focus group discussion, andrndocumentary analysis were used for data collection. The findings of the study indicated thatrnEthiopian National Examinations were not accommodating candidates with visual impairment.rnIn Ethiopian National Examinations, candidates with visual impairment are examined in arnsimilar standard with the rest “sighted” candidates. According to the findings, attitudinalrnproblems in enforcing the UN convention of Persons with Disabilities, absence of accessiblernlearning materials and school facilities, rigid curriculum, lack of awareness, and absence ofrntechnology which is the best equalizer for persons with disabilities, absence in using appropriaternaccommodation for SWVI are among the major challenges affecting students directly andrnindirectly in National Examinations. Data from NEAEA has also indicated the achievement ofrnblind students in Ethiopian National Examinations was far behind the “sighted” candidates. Inrngeneral the research recommends for the overall improvement in assessment of candidates withrnvisual impairment including the use of different accommodation alternatives and technologiesrnduring national examination development and administration, allocation of earmarked budgetrnfor accessible educational materials and assistive technologies as well as infrastructuralrnarrangementsrnKey words: students with visual impairment, national examinations, accommodations, disability,rnassessment etc

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