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Students With Visual Impairments (Understanding Visual Impairments…
Students With Visual Impairments
Understanding Visual Impairments
Definitions of Visual Impairment
IDEA Definition
Impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Partial sight and blindness.
Term "disability" not really used
Clinical Definitions
Social Security benefits, federal tax exemptions, and other services.
Visual Acuity and Visual Field
Legal Blindness: 20/200
20/70-20/200
Functional Definitions
Most used in schools. Impact of vision loss on student.
Visual Impairment
Low Vision (moderate to severe)
Blindness (profound) Light perception, or none at all
Functionally/Educationally Blind
Congenital vs. Adventitious
Prevalence
Low-incidence
Less than 0.5%
Other Prevalence Information
14 million 12 or older: some impairment
11 million function with correction
Development of the Visual Impairment Field
Residential Schools in the United States
Same period: 1832- New England Asylum for the Blind (Perkins)
Samuel Howe
3 principles: individual needs, similar curriculum to sighted students, integration in community
Pioneer and critic in residential schooling
The Emergence of Public School Programs
1900- Chicago. Part-time class.
GE with help with braille and typing from special teacher
Sight Saving- residual sight with oral instruction
1950s: Retrolental Fibroplasia (ROP)
1960s- trend changed to public schools
Early Thinking and Services
Louis Braille- France
Dot-based system of reading and writing
Widely accepted in 1854.
Other Historical Developments
Radical methods changed to teach the partially sighted. Sight-saved disbanded for using residual for improving.
Increase in students with visual impairments and other disabilities. Half or more today. Rubella.
Causes of Visual Impairments
Structure and Functioning
Illness or Injury
Neurological Communication
Structure of the Eye and How It Works
Layers: Protective (cornea, refraction, sclera)
2nd: Uveal tract (iris, pupil, lens) blood flow
3rd: Retina (connects eye to optic nerve)
Vitreous Humor- eye doesn't collapse
Eye socket- six muscles, Eyelids and tear ducts
Additional Examples of Visual Impairments
Cortical Visual Impairment, Retinopathy of Prematurity, Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
Albinism, Optic Nerve Atrophy
Glaucoma, Cataract, Strabismus, Amblyopia
Identifying Visual Impairment
Ophthalmologist/ Optometrist
Advise parent to contact local school
Identification might occur in classroom
Comprehensive educational assessment, determination of eligibility.
Assessment
A functional vision assessment
A learning media assessment
A clinical low-vision evaluation- optical or nonoptical devices
Eligibility
Criteria established by state
Team looks at results
How Learners with Visual Impairments Receive Their Education
Elementary and Secondary School Services
Consultant model, itinerant services, resource model, or specialized school settings
Consultant Model
Most of the time in general classroom. Most teaching GE teacher.VI specialist collabs.
Resource Model
Extensive needs
Classroom designated with special materials
Staffed full time with TVI
Special Classes and Schools
May be in full time special classes
Residential schools
Intensive needs otherwise not addressed
Isolated and segregated
Revolving door
Itinerant Teaching Model
Local school, mostly GE teacher
TVI travels from school to school
Consults, gives materials and assesses
TVI consistent instruction like a teacher
Independent with mild to moderate needs
Inclusive Practices
GE appropriate for some- not all
Determined by team on individual basis
Specific and planned interventions
Early Childhood
Home-based program and services
Center-based preschool- direct and consistent teaching
Transition and Adulthood
Career and education program beginning in preschool
Limited opportunities to learn about jobs and workers
Almost 77% graduation rate
60% unemployed
Individualized transition plan
individual plan for employment
Characteristics of Individuals with Visual Impairments
Academic Characteristics
Alternative media and tools for reading and writing
With tools, they develop fine in these skills
Braille Literacy Skills
Alphabetic Braille- based on 26 letters of alphabet
Literary Braille- Unified English Braille
Nemeth Code- mathematics
Braille writer
Visual Impairment Specialists
Additional Tools to Gather info
Print Literacy Skills
Large print materials
Low vision devices
Video magnifier
KNFB reader
Access technologies and dual media
Social and Emotional Characteristics
Restricts observation and imitation
Hard time with socially appropriate behavior
Direct and Systematic instruction- many different areas such as making friends and body posture.
Cognitive Characteristics
Lowenfeld: Range and Variety of Experiences, mobility, interaction with environment
Orientation and mobility skills learned
Detachment from environment
Behavior Characteristics
Socially immature, more isolated, and less assertive
People do things for them- they become passive
Stereotypic Behaviors
Due to restricted activity and movement
Recommended Educational Practices for Students with Visual Impairments
What is taught, how it is taught, where it is taught
Instruction in the Expanded Core Curriculum
Access to existing core curriculum
Access expanded core curriculum
Direct teaching of the disability-specific skills
Principles of Special Methods
Need for Concrete Experiences
Exploration of real objects and situations- also through other available senses
Need for Unifying Experiences
Integrate parts into wholes
Connect subjects to experiences
Need for Learning by Doing
Doing and practicing skills learned
All students benefit from this
Perspectives of Parents and Families
Try to understand and listen
Diverse needs
Influences by many factors
Parent Perspectives
Concerns:
Concerns and situations that caused stress
Impact of the child’s disability on family and changes over time
Strategies and supports that assisted parents in coping with concerns
Factors contributing to parents’ resilience
Trends and Issues Affecting the Field of Visual Impairment
Field grew- many have more disabilities
Shortage of Fully Prepared Personnel
Not enough people are qualified
40 programs to prepare specialists
Economic pressures and low enrollments
Limited Continuum of Placement Options
Rural: limited to consultant or itinerant teaching