Visual Impairment SPED2000 Karen Dew September 14, 2015

Introduction

Karen Dew

SPED2000

September 14, 2015

What is Visual Impairment?

Visual impairment is defined by Project Ideal as "any visual condition that impacts an individual's ability to successfully complete the activities of everyday life".

https://arksped.k12.ar.us/.../L.%20VIsual%20IMPAIRMENT%20INCLU

Task

Characteristics of Visual Impairment

Not always easy to recognize

Sometimes NOT detected until after starting school

Physical Signs

Crossed eyes

Eyes that turn out

Eyes-flutter from side to side

Eyes- do not seem to focus

Cluminess

Constantly running into things or falling down

Trouble judging distance

Behavior

Short attention span

Blink frequently, squint

Light sensitivity

Sit close to T.V., hold book close

Poor eye-hand coordination

Trouble throwing/catching a ball, tying shoes,

copying work from board

Poor Handwriting

Poor Academic Performance

May not read well, use finger to follow so not to lose place

Trouble retaining what was read

Trouble writing, problems with math and other subjects

http://www.livestrong.com/article/126096-characteristics-visually-impaired-child./

Process

Causal Factors

5 Leading Causes of Visual Impairments in Children in the US

1. Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)

Nerurological disorder, results in unique visual responses to people, educational

materials and the environment.

2. Retinopathy (ROP)

Eye disorder effecting premature babies.

Effects immature blood vessels of the retina.

Occurs weeks after birth

Once blood vessel development is complete, no longer a disorder.

3. Optic Nerve Hypoplasia (ONH)

Underdevelopment of the optic nerve during pregnancy.

Not inherited, not progressive, and cannot be cured.

4. Albinism

Absent or reduced pigment in eyes, skin, or hair.

Inherited genes - do not make usual amounts of melanin, which

is essential for retina development.

Lack of melanin in retina development is the primarey cause of impairment.

5. Optic Nerve Atrophy (ONA)

Permanent, visual impairment, damage to optic nerve.

Can affect one or both eyes.

May be progressive, depending on the cause.

http://www.vabri.org/five-leading-causes-of-visual-impairments-in-children-in-the-usa/

Evaluation

Instructional Implications

Students with a visual impairment have a limited ability to learn incidentally from their environment.

Visually impaired children must compensate for this impairment by using other skills and adaptive techniques to learn other than through sight.

A reduction in vision can cause those impaired to be less motivated to explore things, initiate social interactions and manipulate objects. The lack of motivation may lead to poor motor development, lessened social skills which often leads to low self-esteem.

Specialized instruction is needed for those visually impaired outside the core curriculum which includes independent living skills, use of assistive technology, and recreation and leisure skills. Providing these additional skills impacts them for life.

Visually impaired students can learn at the same rate, they just require adaptations and interventions to develop the necessary skills.

http://www.projectidealonline.org/v/visual-impairments/

Assistive Technology

Students with visual impairments have to be trained to use adaptive resources to improve learning skills, increase their independence, and reach their individual potential.

Computer Adaptations

Braille translation software and equipment: converts print to braille and vice versa

Braille printer: computer connected which embosses braille to paper

Screen reader: converts computer screen text to audible speech

Screen enlargement software: increases computer screen texts and images

Refreshable braille display: converts computer text to braille by computer connected output device

Adaptive Devices

Braille notetakers: lightweight electronic note-taking device; connects to printer or braille embosser

which produces printed or braille copy

Optical character reader: converts printed texts into computer files; translated into audible speech or

braille with appropriate equipment

Electronic braillewriter: produces braille, translates braille into text or synthetic speech

Talking calculators: voice output calculations

Optical Devices

Closed circuit television (CCTV): enlarges image and projects onto screen

Magnifiers: enlarges images

Telescopes: used to view distant objects

Specially trained teachers will assist visually impaired students with these devices and necessary

training

http://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/assistive-technology.html

Conclusion

Accomodations and Modifications

Classroom accomodations need to be suited accordingly to the individual needs of the student.

Consideration should be taken in accomodating students to obtain their personal potential and gain their individual indepedence. This should be one of the teacher's upmost priorities in encouraging the students' independence so they do not become a victim of "learned helplessness".

Adapting the classroom helps in the visually impaired student gaining confidence and independence. These adaptations are pretty easy and extremely beneficial to the student. Pushing chairs under when not in use and closing cabinet doors are two simple things to do that can help the student's ease of navigation.

One key accomodation to assisting visually impaired students is to maintain the placement of their media materials in the same location as other students. This gives them the sense of being just like everyone else and is less stigmatizing as well. This in turn helps in building their confidence while teaching them their independence.