Methods of Teaching Visually Impaired Students

Introduction

There is a range of  teaching strategies that can help all students to learn but there are some special strategies that are useful in teaching a group which includes students with visual impairments.

In considering alternative forms of equal opportunity ,assessment  not a guaranteed outcome, is the objective. You are not expected to lower standards to accommodate students with a disability, but rather are required to give them a reasonable opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned .

Definition

A visual impairment 

is any visual condition that affects an individual’s ability to successfully complete the activities of everyday life. Students with visual impairments are infants, toddlers, children and youths who experience impairments of the visual system that affects their ability to learn.

Students with visual impairment may display comprehension difficulties, have less organisational skills, fail to complete assignments and experience difficulty staying on-task. Most students diagnosed as having visual impairment are, in fact, partially sighted and can function in the school situation with the help of low-vision aids. Those who have deteriorating minimal residual vision or who are totally blind may need to read and write through the medium of Braille.

Braille 

is a system of touch reading and writing for blind persons in which raised dots represent the letters of the alphabet. It also contains equivalents for punctuation marks and provides symbols to show letter groupings. Braille is read by moving the hand or hands from left to right along each line.

Lighting and classroom setup :

It may not be possible to change lighting. However 

consider the following:

• General lighting should be bright and even, without causing glare.

• Effective task lighting can be useful.

• If possible, avoid being in front of strong light, such as a window that casts you in shadow.

• Macular conditions affect central vision, 

meaning students may appear to be looking out of the window because of using their peripheral vision.

• Students with glasses or sight needs should sit near the front of the class.

Educational Implications of Visual Impairment :

Students with visual impairments sometimes have less natural learning experiences

because they are not able to observe interactions and objects . 

The areas of learning which are particularly affected are:

  - concept development;

-
interpersonal communication skills;

- life skills;

- orientation and mobility skills; and

academic development.

 - Development of concepts is the base of all learning. Spatial relationships , body

awareness ,time and self-awareness are just a few examples of fundamental concepts individuals need to make sense of their world.

 These concepts may need to be

specifically taught to visually impaired students . Although the main focus will

be on academic development, providing a many opportunities for personal

development can have a great effect on a student who is visually impaired.

Encouraging a positive self-image, appropriate dress, ,good interpersonal communication, well-developed self-care skills, appropriate behaviours, increased independence and productive community living can all be tremendously helpful in the healthy growth of students with visual impairments. As with all students, relationships are essential  for students with visual impairments and the classroom can be a wonderful

place for  maturity to flourish and development .

The development of a student with a visual impairment is affected by:

* the type and severity of the visual impairment;

*
the onset of the visual impairment;

*
the nature and degree of intervention;

*
the use of residual vision;

*
the availability of equipment and resources;

*
personality

*
the presence of other disabilities;

*
family adjustment and acceptance; and

cultural attitudes to visual impairment