This study explored how studies on O&M of people with visual impairments have
been conducted in foreign countries. This study reviewed the articles published in
international academic journals of visual impairments, JVIB and BJVI, during recent 10
years(2005-2014) in order to understand the characteristics of variables and themes
in foreign studies related to O&M. I found 26 articles in JVIB and 8 articles in BJVI
as articles related to O&M of people with visual impairments through four collecting
processes, and I analyzed these articles through qualitative data analysis.
This study analyzed 34 articles as variables and themes. First, the result of the
analysis about variables showed the characteristics of years, nationalities published,
the types of disabilities, the subjects of the study, and the methodology of the study.
Second, the result of the analysis about the themes showed that five themes such as
the reality of O&M, methods of O&M, factors influencing O&M, O&M specialists, and
training of O&M. These themes shows that there are many studies on methods or
conditions necessary for training of O&M towards people with visual impairments
such as methods of O&M, O&M specialists, factors influencing O&M as well as
research on training O&M directly.
This study shows that studies on O&M has been studied constantly about adults as
well as children with visual impairments in various nations including the United
States. In addition, the result of this study shows that South Korea needs to prepare
somethings such as training of O&M specialists and considerations in O&M training as
well as training of O&M towards people with visual impairments.