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Visual Impairments including Blindness

Acronyms:

VI: Visual Impairment

BLIND

BVI: Blind and Visually Impaired

CVI: Cortical Visual Impairment

O&M: Orientation and Mobility

AFB: American Foundation for the Blind

NFB: National Federation of the Blind

DB: Deaf-Blindness

These acronyms are commonly used in discussions related to visual impairments and blindness

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Some characteristics associated with visual impairments including blindness are

Field loss: Loss of peripheral vision

Reduced Visual Acuity: Difficulty seeing fine details

Color Perception loss: Difficulty distinguishing between colors or may be colorblind

Difficulty with Depth Perception: Struggle to judge distances accurately

Use of Assistive Devices: Tools such as glasses, magnifiers, or canes to assist navigation

Dependence on Other Senses: Rely more on their other senses such as hearing, touch, or smell

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Identification Procedures and Service Delivery 

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Identification Procedures and Service Delivery 

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Identification Procedures may include

Screening: This is the initial vision screening that is often performed at a child's yearly check-up. This is a way to identify a child's visual impairment

Functional Vision Assessment: This is a test conducted to understand how the visual impairment affects daily activities

Educational Evaluation: Performed to determine the impact of the visual impairment on learning

Eye Exams: If any concerns are shown it is important to seek care from an eye doctor to get a further look at the complications

Service Deliveries may include

Individualized Education Plans: This can provide tailored educational support and accommodations to meet the child's specific needs while also providing services

Assistive Technology: Screen readers, magnification software, and other tools to help children succeed in their learning environment

Support Services: Counseling and rehabilitation programs are available to assist the patient and their family in coping with the challenges of visual impairments

Advocacy and Awareness: There are many organizations dedicated to supporting individuals with visual impairments

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Some adaptations that are seen in classrooms to help children are

Seating arrangements: Placing the child in a spot where they can hear the teacher and access needed materials

Braille Materials: Providing the students with activities and books in braille so that they are able to participate

Extra Time: Giving the student extra time to complete assignments and tasks

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Behavior Management and Social Strategies, Adaptions, or Accommodations

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Behavior Management and Social Strategies, Adaptions, or Accommodations

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Family Involvement: Encouraging family members to participates in the child's social and educational journey

Social Skills Training: Providing specific training on social cues and communication can help a child develop better interpersonal skills

Peer Support Programs: Encouraging the child to have a buddy system so they have a community that can help them with the areas they may struggle with due to the disability

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National level: Success Beyond Sight is a nonprofit organization that has provided a national free registry for teachers to have access to learning materials to help better educate themselves, while also giving the students what they need in order to be successful in their learning environment

State Level: Many states have different programs within the school but also outside of the school to help children with disabilities. For example, in KY there is an American Printing House for the Blind that provides school systems and families with printouts for children with disabilities. Every state has resources for the teachers so they can help provide each child with a great learning experience

Local Levels: The National Federation of the Blind offers many local workshops and networking opportunities for teachers that need support and further education on specific disabilities in this case visual impairments

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National Level: The National Eye Institute offers information on various eye conditions while also providing resources for many families nationally so parents can better understand and help their child

State Level: State Library for Blind is a resource many states have to provide children with the tools they need while also educating the parents along the way to ensure they know how to properly use the materials their child needs in order to be successful

Local Level: Parent Support Groups are highly recommended for parents struggling with their child's disability. This provides comfort and support for parents who may not know what the next best step is

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American Association of Blind Teachers. Resources for Teaching Visually Impaired Students. (n.d.). https://blindteachers.net/resources-teachers.html

Blindness (vision impairment): Types, causes and treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (2025, March 19). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24446-blindness

FamilyConnect. The American Foundation for the Blind. (n.d.). https://www.afb.org/blindness-and-low-vision/familyconnect

Resources for parents and teachers of blind and visually impaired children. Resources for Parents and Teachers of Blind and Visually Impaired Children | American Council of the Blind. (n.d.). https://www.acb.org/resources-parents-and-teachers-blind-and-visually-impaired-children

Top 12 resources for visually impaired students and teachers. Vision Center. (2024, February 21). https://www.visioncenter.org/resources/visually-impaired-students/#:~:text=Resources%20for%20Visually%20Impaired%20Students%201%20Tools%20for,other%20topics.%204%20...%204%20Important%20Organizations%20