Art Ability of Blind Students Aged Thirteen to Fifteen Years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

The present study was conducted to explore art ability of the middle team blind students in the King Dom of Saudi Arabia. Specifically, The present study sought answers to the following questions: Is the progress in the blind students’ ability to make different forms of art increases across ages? Do the students’ ability of different ages show significant difference by gender? Is there a significant difference in the blind students’ art ability between those studying in special schools and those in integrated schools? Is there a relation between the blind students’ art ability and their academic achievement?

A total of 238 (155 male and 85 female) blind students in the intermediate classes (71 students in class 7, 93 student in class 8, and 74 student in class 9) participated in the study. The samples have been selected from 31 integrated schools and 4 special schools (i.e., 140 student in special schools, and 98 student in integrated schools). The assessment model (checklists) to assess three dimensions of art ability (i.e. Drawing, Handcraft, and Clay) were developed. Data analyzed using MANOVA analysis. The study indicated that: (1) the progress in the blind students’ ability to make different forms of art increases across ages. (2) there is no gender-related differences in art ability and its dimensions. (3) there is an interaction effect of gender and age in the drawing. (4) there is significant differences in the blind students’ art ability between those studying in special schools and those in integrated schools for the students in integrated schools. (5) there are significant positive relations between art ability and academic achievement (i.e. Social studies, Mathematics, English language, and Science).

Keywords: Art ability, Blind, Clay, Drawing, Handcraft