Searching the Light: Experiences of Visually-Impaired Students Attending Mainstream School

Being a visually-impaired (VI) student attending mainstream classes poses a challenge to them considering the limitation presented by their limited vision. This phenomenological study tried to explore these difficulties and identify the different coping skills that helped them in pursuing their schooling. It was found out that VI students developed a certain adaptive mechanism that enables them to survive their academic journey. Their difficulty taught them to innovate themselves to become accustomed to the growing demand of society for them to be equally competitive and productive individual that does not consider their difficulties as hindrance. It was found out that VI students who are in the mainstream classes have a stronger socio-academic adaptability which enables them to relate themselves to their mainstream counterparts and to excel in their academics. The study revealed that their social adaptation involves strong spiritual foundation, self-confidence, self-motivation, sense of belongingness, and better support system from families and friends. On the other hand, their academic adaptation includes technology, effective teacher aides, innovative strategies, and materials for the blind. When all this components are considered, there is an assurance that VI students attending mainstream classes can finish their schooling.