The Impact of Inclusive and Exclusive Education on the Visually Impaired

Abstract

This study was designed to find out the impact of inclusive and exclusive education on the social, personal and professional lives of visually impaired males and females in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Purposive snowball sampling technique of non probability sampling was used. Interview method was selected for the present study so the interviewer could pursue in-depth information about the participant's experiences around the topic. The major findings showed that both education systems have their pros and cons, but overall inclusive education was preferred by both genders. As it is in inclusive education that the visually impaired through their integration with sighted people feel accepted by society, and were able to rise to great heights alongside their sighted brother's and sisters. Where as on the other hand, although it was exclusive education which laid foundations for inclusive education by developing feelings of security but it hinders one 'inclusion' as, 'one's potential is not allowed to blossom out because one is exclusively competing with the visually impaired which in turn does not give one a sense of achievement. The result showed that in inclusive education if given the correct environment and facilities with regard to their disability, visually impaired are just as capable as their sighted brothers and sisters to receive an education