Visual Impairments by Anabelle Kessler

What is a Visual Impairment?

bellekess13 — 2023-12-07 22:46:16 UTC

A visual impairment is that even with correction, adversely affects an individual's educational performance.

Source: Textbook, Special Education in a Contemporary Society, chapter 13

Characteristics of Visual Impairments:

bellekess13 — 2023-12-07 22:54:41 UTC

Some common characteristics include:

Vision Function Problems
Academic Performance
Social and emotional development: Children learn social interaction through nonverbal language that is often perceived through visual means
Educational implications: Children with visual impairments may rely on the tactile and auditory stimuli to maximize their learning
Independent living skills: Skills for independent living are taught from an early age
Travel skills
Vocational skills: Vocational skills are taught from an early age

Source: Textbook, Special Education in a Contemporary Society, chapter 13

Causes of Visual Impairments:

bellekess13 — 2023-12-07 22:57:22 UTC

The leading causes of visual impairments include:

refractive errors
cataract
diabetic retinopathy
glaucoma
age-related macular degeneration
eye injury
cortical visual impairment
retinopathy of prematurity

Video:

bellekess13 — 2023-12-07 22:58:45 UTC

Video:

bellekess13 — 2023-12-07 22:59:58 UTC

Working with Students in the Classroom:

bellekess13 — 2023-12-07 23:07:21 UTC

In my classroom, some strategies I would use are:

Making required book lists and course materials available early so there is sufficient time for them to be reproduced in audio or Braille, if required
Verbalizing what is written on the blackboard and on PowerPoints. I would talk through any calculations as they are made or procedures as they are carried out. And I would read any printed information and describe any charts or graphs being used
I'd inform the student if I plan to use videos, slides or PowerPoints, and discuss alternative ways of presenting the necessary information
I would use tactile graphics where necessary
The vision of some students may be affected by the glare from fluorescent lights or sunlight so I would need to attend to some aspects of my teaching environment. This should be done unobtrusively

Strengths of Students with Visual Impairments:

bellekess13 — 2023-12-07 23:11:48 UTC

There are a lot of difficulties that occur for students with visual impairments, especially in the classroom, but they also have strengths that they could bring to my classroom. Some strengths are: Strong imagination, conversation starters, they often ask for help and then can continue the conversation. They also have a strong memory because the more you can't see the more you have to remember.

Challenges in the Classroom:

bellekess13 — 2023-12-07 23:15:47 UTC

There are a lot of challenges that occur in the classroom for students with visual impairments. A lot of school work has to be seen to do it. Some of the challenges I would face include:

not being able to see objects at a distance, like on a whiteboard or blackboard
having trouble reading (or learning to read) and participating in class
not being able to focus on objects or follow them, may squint often and rub their eyes a lot, have chronic eye redness or sensitivity to light
bumping into things often

bellekess13 — 2023-12-07 23:16:48 UTC

bellekess13 — 2023-12-07 23:17:17 UTC