Negative attitudes heighten social exclusion for blind children in developing countries

The negatives attitudes of others and lack of support are among the most disabling factors faced by children who are blind in developing countries, according to a study presented at the World Society of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (WSPOS) paediatric subspecialty day.

Professor Clare Gilbert, Disability and Eye Health Group at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told delegates that more needs to be done to overcome negative attitudes which lead to social exclusion and marginalization of blind children.

“The research work carried out by Mohammad A Muhit in Bangladesh clearly showed that attitudinal barriers were the most important barriers to participation amongst blind children in that country. Interventions which promote participation need to be developed and evaluated to give these children the best possible chance of development, education, and participation in broader social life,” she said.

Prof Gilbert stressed that she was not speaking as an expert in the field of rehabilitation or education of children, but simply wished to highlight the findings of projects that she or her colleagues at the Disability and Eye Health Group had been involved in over the years in relation to the impact of blindness in children in developing countries.

In terms of measures that could be taken to overcome such attitudinal barriers, Prof. Gilbert said that initiatives such as buddying at school, organising sports events for children who are blind or visually impaired or holding community group sessions with role play could all potentially play a role. More research is also needed to provide evidence of the best approach for educating children who are blind in low income settings, said Prof. Gilbert.

“Is inclusive education alone the best approach, or is a mixed approach better, with some time spent in schools for the blind for intensive skills learning, such as  Braille for instance?” she asked.