Illuminating the Path: Parents’ Challenges and Coping Mechanisms in Teaching Their Visually Impaired Children

One of the most challenging roles that parents play is to teach their visually impaired children. This undertaking requires considerable effort, expertise, and resources to facilitate learning. As such, this study aimed to explore the lived experiences of parents in teaching their visually impaired children at home, with a particular focus on understanding their challenges and coping mechanisms. Eight parents of visually impaired learners enrolled in blended learning programs participated in this study, conducted at a SPED Center. Data were gathered through structured interviews, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of their experiences. Findings revealed two overarching themes as the challenges faced by parents: (1) a lack of capability to teach, and (2) a disruptive teaching process. With these challenges, parents employed two major themes as coping mechanisms: (1) active participation in online classes and (2) seeking help from others. The study emphasizes the importance of structured parental training programs, behavioral intervention strategies, and enhanced collaboration between teachers and parents in strengthening home-based education for visually impaired children.