Visual Impairments in the Classroom

By: Paige Ross


Image of a person using braille
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Table of Contents

  1. Content page describing/defining Visual Impairments
  2. Content page describing the challenges of  Visual Impairments
  3. Content page of suggested teaching strategies for  Visual Impairments
  4. Content page providing resources that supports the teaching strategies 
  5. Content page with closing comments
  6. Reference page
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Question Mark

What is Visual Impairment?

 Visual impairment is a severe reduction in vision that cannot be corrected with standard glasses or contact lenses and reduces a person's ability to function at particualr or all tasks.

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Person guiding themselves with a cane.

Challenges of Visual Impairments

Being visually imparied does not mean a person is completly blind. Some visuallyimpaired people are able to read and even drive with the help of special glasses. Many people use service dogs and canes to guide them along. Although visually impaired people can do many things they still have everyday challenges. Some things they may be challenged by could be the following... 

  • Self navigating
  • Traveling
  • Walking in crowded areas
  • Social atmospheres that are difficult to participate in for visually impared (such as sports)
  • Self esteem
  • Requiring longer time periods to learn information off of certain things (such as websites) 
  • Discrimination 
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Teacher helping a student.

Suggested Teaching Strategies

 Student with a visual impairment can learn the same inofrmation as any other students in the classroom with some aid and revisments to the activites in class. 

Classroom Strategies

Students who may have difficulty reading printed material or diagrams can utilize things such as braille, recorded lectures, audio notes, oral notes, and larger typed print. When giving directions to find something in the classroom or building, it is best to give the students spatial directions instead of just pointing in a direction. Also notifying the visually impaired student of a classroom change is helpful for them when navigating around the room. Making sure that the teacher addresses everyone by names can help the visually impaired students recognize voices and people.

Being Available and Prepared

Teachers can prepared for having a visually impaired student in their classroom ahead of time. They can do this by gathering the correct audio tapes and pre-recording lessons. Teachers can check for braille versions of text books they will be using in class. Teachers should be willing and prepared to spend extra time on lessons to make sure they are completely available to each and everyone of their students. and their needs.

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UDL

Supporting Teaching Strategies

There are many resources available to both teachers and students when teaching visually impaired students. 

UDL 

UDL stands for Universal Design for Learning. The purpose to incorporate UDL into the classroom is to provide an environment that fits everyone needs and learning styles into the classroom. UDL allows for teachers to individualize their lessons for all of their students.

 DI

Differentiated Instruction is what DI stands for. This is similar to the Universal Design of Learning but more individualized. This is where teachers interact with individual students to help and guide them during their learning. Differentiated Instruction makes learning possible for each individual student and their needs for learning. 

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Closing Comments

Visual impairments do not hold back any child in the classroom with the right guidance and aid from the right people and resources. Making the classroom a rich and fun learning environment for all students is very possible with determination and the extra hard work put in by teachers. Having patience with each and every student in the classroom can help things run smoothly and give the students the best experience in school as possible. 


Teacher with students
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Sources

Allan, Jim. "Home." Classroom strategies for Regular Education Teachers who have students with visual impairments. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.

"College/University Students." DailyStrength. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.

 

"Student Disability Services." Student Disability Services Students who are Blind or have a Visual Impairment Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.

"Teacher With Students Clipart." Teacher With Students Clipart | Free Download Clip Art | Free Clip Art | on Clipart Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.

 

Watson, Clare. "TVI." Pinterest. N.p., 09 Jan. 2017. Web. 19 Apr. 2017.

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