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Visual Impairments. Erika Cranmer and Lauren Pate. Characteristics of VI. Partially Sighted – some need for special education, these students use vision and other senses to function
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Visual Impairments Erika Cranmer and Lauren Pate
Characteristics of VI • Partially Sighted – some need for special education, these students use vision and other senses to function • Low Vision – students learn using a combination of vision and other senses, these students tend to work slowly and may have difficulty working with details • Functional Blindness - use multiple modalities to function, read and write in Braille, depending on the severity of the blindness the student may need accommodations to move around the classroom • Blindness (Near and Total)- the student uses other senses besides vision all of the time • Younger Children with visual impairments have little reason to explore their surroundings!!
Misconceptions about VI • These students can create pictures in their minds. • Students with visual impairments can’t see at all. • Goals or outcomes of units need to be changed for students who are visually impaired.
Accommodations for VI • Students need to become familiar with their surroundings • Create tactile adjustments within your lessons • Additional materials can be brought into the classroom (light sources, Braille, large print, easels, books on tape, eyeglasses, magnifying glasses or boards)
Additional Accommodations • Pay attention to the students position in the room • Be knowledgeable of new technology!! • **If you should have a student that is colorblind, create labels for organizational items that may be color coded.
Curricular Modifications • Gather and file away materials for VI students (Braille, audio-tapes, large print worksheets) • Create different methods for VI students to reach the same goals • **Always remind students to wear/use their materials that help them to learn!!
Resources! • **American Foundation for the Blind. Search AFB's Service Center on the Web to identify services for blind and visually impaired persons in the United States and Canada. Available: www.afb.org/services.asp • Cox, P. , & Dykes, M. (2001). "Effective strategies for students with visual impairments." Teaching Exceptional Children July/August: 68-75. Print. • Holbrook, M.C. (Ed.). (1996). Children with visual impairments: A parents' guide. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine. [Telephone: 1-800-843-7323; (301) 897-3570.] • Lewis, S., & Allman, C.B. (2000). Seeing eye to eye: An administrator's guide to students with low vision. New York: American Foundation for the Blind. (Telephone: 1-800-232-3044.) • Scott, E., Jan, J., & Freeman, R. (1995). Can’t your child see? (2nd ed.). Austin, TX: Pro-Ed. [Telephone: (512) 451-3246.]