Learners with Visual Impairments
Learners with visual impairments can be classified in to two categories which are:
1. Those who are blind: The term blindness is used for complete or nearly complete vision loss. Students with this kind of vision loss can not access information written in print form. They depend on the use of Braille to read and write
2. Those with Low vision: This refer to vision loss which can't be fully corrected through the use of assistive devices or surgery. students with this kind of vision loss have a decreased ability to see hence their need to use glasses, contact lenses, reading magnifiers etc.
- Some of those who fall into this category have refractive errors such as myopia (near-sightedness) , astigmatism and hyperopia ( farsightedness)
http://moodle.lce.ac.ls/pluginfile.php/63754/mod_page/content/8/hyperopia.jpg ,http://moodle.lce.ac.ls/pluginfile.php/63754/mod_page/content/8/astigmatism%201.jpg
http://moodle.lce.ac.ls/pluginfile.php/63754/mod_page/content/8/images%20myopia.jpg
What causes visual impairments?
-Uncorrected refractive errors
- Meningitis
- Eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma
- Diabetes
- Infections e.g. rubella/german measles
-Brain damage
-Heredity
- Eye injuries
- malnutrition
- Albinism
-Eye cancer etc
Activity 1
Classify the cause according to their factors and stages in which they could occur
What are the signs of visual impairments ?
- Constant eye rubbing or chronic eye redness
- Extreme light sensitivity
- Squinting, closing one eye, or misaligned eyes
- Poor focusing or trouble following objects
- Inability to see objects at a distance or near
- Inability to read a whiteboard or blackboard, etc., or trouble reading
- Not looking at others in the eyes
- Reaching in front of or beyond an object
- Holding objects very close or very far to see them
- Turning or tilting his head when he uses his eyes
- Continuously pushing or poking his eyes
- Looking above, below or off to one side of an object, rather than directly at it
- Bumping into objects and having a lot or trouble seeing at night
- Feeling for objects on the ground instead of looking with her eyes
- complain of not seeing well/ too much light etc.
Activity 2
Classify the indicators in their categories
Assessment
After you have identified a student whom you suspect has visual impairments, you shall have to carry out an informal assessment which include ;
- Executing tests e.g. using Snellen chart/ E-chart/ Picture cards/ Beads of different colours and sizes
- Conducting interviews e.g. parent/guardian, previous teachers, peers and the student himself/herself.
- Administering checklists/ structured observations
Activity 3
a) Explain in a paragraph how you would use an E-chart to screen visual impairment
b) Draw 5 interview questions for each of the listed people that you would use to collect information from ; the parent, the previous teacher, the student himself
c) Make a checklist with 5 items that you will use to assess students with visual impairments at your school
What teachers must do to assist learners with Visual Impairments
For you to address the academic challenges of students with visual impairments, it is important to take note of the following
Students with visual impairments may need
- seating accommodations to help them see you or whiteboards, blackboards, overhead displays, etc.
- to wear glasses, use magnifiers, or use extra lighting for class work/ use hat in class
- require large/small printed handout materials or audio books for reading
- need voice-activated computers or other assistive technology
- need someone to assist in taking notes
- extra time to get to classes or complete assigned work
- to go for medical checkups frequently
- be treated differently so it is important to consider each student's individual needs
Teaching strategies to consider when teaching students with VIFind additional handout for below for the classroom strategies
http://moodle.lce.ac.ls/pluginfile.php/63754/mod_page/content/8/Teaching%20Strategies%20for%20students%20with%20visual%20impairments.pdf