The visual ability and employment capability of the partially sighted school leaver: a clinical study

Abstract

The study was undertaken to investigate the visual ability and employment capability of partially sighted school leavers. The concept of visual ability was discussed and aspects relating to the employment of the partially sighted were reviewed. Visual ability investigations were carried out on a sample of 195 final year pupils attending five schools for the partially sighted-in the three consecutive academic years 1976-79. The investigations covered various aspects: static distance and near visual acuity measured using both conventional and specially designed charts, the status of the peripheral and central fields, the integrity of the colour sense and a study of dynamic visual acuity. Ophthalmic, educational and biographical information for these youngsters was also extracted from their school records, and also from the records of a further 160 final year pupils. attending 8 other schools for the partially sighted. A postal questionnaire was sent to the 355 youngsters approximately one year after the date of leaving school, requesting information on the employment record. A response rate of 85.6% was achieved. Of the 304 leavers responding to the questionnaire, approximately 55% had sought employment and 45% had entered courses of higher or further education and training. measure of occupational success, based on job tenure, was derived for the youngsters who had sought employment. The visual ability data together with the data from the records was then related to this measure of occupational success, correlational analysis being used to ascertain the presence of any linear associations. Small, but statistically significant correlations, were obtained between employment success and the sex of the youngster, academic qualifications, topics concerning the youngster's attitude to visual impairment and to the interaction with the normally sighted, the presence of an unemployed relative and one measure of distance visual acuity. Recommendations were made concerning future areas of research,