Visual
Impairments (VI)
VI
Defined
- Documentation
for low vision will include diagnosed pathology and
functional assessment that describes visual deficits
significant enough to interfere with learning
- Functionally
blind students have so little remaining vision that
they use Braille as their reading medium
- Partially
seeing students have a loss of vision but are able
to use regular or large type as their reading medium
and have a visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200 in
the better eye after correction
- Legally
blind students have a visual acuity of 20/200 or less
in the better eye after correction or a severely contracted
peripheral field of no more than 20 degrees
Possible
Causes of Visual Impairments
- Genetic
component
- Accidental
- Disease
Tips
for Instructors
- Talk
while you teach
- Verbalize
what you are doing as you move about the classroom
- Use
concrete examples when trying to teach abstract concepts
- Ask
the student what they need. It is acceptable and advisable
to speak individually with the student regarding their
needs in your classroom
Some
Typical Accommodations
The degree of visual impairment will determine the types of accommodations
needed for each individual.
- Note-takers
during classes
- Readers
and/or scribes for examinations
- Readers
and/or scribes for textbooks
- Textbooks
on Tape
- Extended
time on tests
- Distraction-reduced
environment for test-taking
- Tape
recording during class session
- Enlarged
print and/or Braille tests and handouts
- Laboratory
assistance
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