General Characteristics
Classroom Strategies

General Characteristics

 

Students who have a visual impairment are as different as any other group of students. A student with a visual impairment could be low vision or blind, depending on the degree of impairment. It's important that teachers understand the nature and degree of the disability. Most students with visual impairments have had extensive involvement with other professionals, such as ophthalmologists and therapists. These professionals can suggest appropriate accommodation for individual students. All plans for these students should involve parents and these professionals, whenever possible.

Most students with visual impairments are capable of attending their local school and can participate in the majority of school activities. The provincial school for the blind (W. Ross MacDonald in Brantford) provides education for blind, visually impaired and deafblind pupils. Programs are tailored to the needs of the individual student and are designed to help him/her learn to live independently in a non-sheltered environment. Special subject areas include music, broadbased technology, family studies, physical education, and mobility training. The school also provides outreach support to help school personnel through consultation and the provision of special learning materials, e.g., braille materials, audio tapes, and large-print textbooks.

Classroom Strategies For Students with Limited Vision

use familiar concrete materials as much as possible until the student is ready for a change

use concrete materials that are being used by other students in the class (good for socializing, sharing experiences, comparing achievement, maintaining integrity of curriculum)

use modelling of correct responses to visual environment so student can compare his/her responses to an accurate model

encourage student to measure his/her own progress through the use of charts, graphs, checklists and timed activities

change the environment (incrementally) so the student can practice transferring and generalizing skills in a safe situation, such as the classroom, hall or school yard

use a variety of age appropriate materials, including games

accompany all visual presentations with verbal narration

increase and vary the distances the student is expected to explore

See also:

Visual Impairment Resources

Adaptive Technology

Special Education Lesson Plans

Education and Special Needs