Review of the visiting teachers service for children with hearing and visual impairment in supporting inclusive educational practice in Ireland: examining stakeholder feedback through an ecological systems theory

The Significance of Specialist Teachers of Learners with Visual Impairments as Agents of Change: Examining Personnel Preparation in the United Kingdom through a Bioecological Systems Theory

“…The context within which individual development takes place within this structure is commonly represented in the literature as a series of concentric circles situated around a developing individual with each circle referring to nested but separate 'systems' to reflect this ecology (e.g. Anderson et al, 2014;McLinden et al 2016;Hewett et al 2017).…”

“…The unique challenges to learning and participation in education associated with visual impairment are well documented in the literature, as is the importance of addressing these challenges through ensuring teachers are equipped with specialist knowledge, understanding and skills (e.g. Hazekamp and Huebner, 1989;Mason and McCall, 1997;Ravenscroft, 2015, Douglas andMcLinden, 2014;McLinden et al 2016). Educational support is provided by a range of practitioners and in many national contexts includes input from specialist teachers of learners with visual impairments (e.g.…”

“…Re-examining how specialist teachers of learners with visual impairments are prepared for this role in a given national context is particularly relevant at a time when their professional roles are undergoing considerable change (e.g. McLinden et al 2016;McCracken and McLinden, 2016). As an example, new national legislation and policy in England and Scotland e.g.…”

“…We start the paper with an overview of Bronfenbrenner's bioecological systems theory of development and discuss how it has been drawn upon to examine the distinctive role of specialist teachers in supporting learners with sensory impairments (e.g. Swanwick, 2014;McLinden et al 2016;McLinden and McCracken, 2016). We then apply the theory to the United Kingdom (UK) as a bounded case study in order to examine the personnel preparation of vision specialist teachers, drawing on two national specifications (England and Scotland) to illustrate relevant knowledge, understanding and skills.…”

Supporting Children with Disabilities in Low- and Middle- Income Countries: Promoting Inclusive Practice within Community-Based Childcare Centres in Malawi through a Bioecological Systems Perspective

“…Anderson et al 2014;McLinden and McCracken 2016) as well as in higher education (e.g. Hewett et al 2017;McLinden et al 2018).…”