Teaching Strategies

Classroom accommodations will be quite varied and should be individualized according to

the specific needs of the student. However, there are some basic best practices that can guide the development of the most effective adaptations.

One thing to always consider is that it is often difficult for these students to become as

fully independent as they are capable of being. The classroom teacher should encourage independence as often as possible to avoid the trap of “learned helplessness.” Encourage the student to move independently through the classroom, and organize your classroom accordingly. Materials, desks, and other objects in the classroom should be maintained in consistent locations. Ensuring that cabinets are fully closed, chairs pushed in, and doors are not left half ajar will help with safety in navigating the classroom. Part of becoming

independent for students with a visual impairment is learning when to advocate for assistance. Not all instructional tasks will be immediately possible for a student with a visual impairment, even with accommodations. The key is to design your instruction so that the student has the most opportunity to act independently. The student’s orientation and mobility specialist and teacher of students with visual impairments can assist with room arrangements and room

familiarization.

Adapting your classroom to accommodate a student with a visual impairment is a relatively

easy task—it just requires an awareness of the student’s level of visual functioning (how the student sees) and how the student works and learns. For example, for the student with low vision, make sure that he is near the front of the room where he can see the blackboard. Control lighting variables when presenting learning materials to those students who are sensitive to light and glare. Use verbal cues with those students who cannot see body movements or physical cues. A trained teacher of students visual impairments can help you

make a few simple changes to classroom design that may mean all the difference in the education of the student with a visual impairment.

One key accommodation that is absolutely essential is access to textbooks and instructional materials in the appropriate media and at the same time as their sighted peers. For students who are blind this may mean braille and/or recorded media. For the student with low vision, this may mean large print text or the use of optical devices to access text and/or recorded media while in class.

Working closely with a student’s teacher of students with visual impairments in advance helps ensure accessible materials and availability of these materialsin a timely manner.

Assistive Technology for Vision Impairments

In order to access print information, students with visual impairments must be trained in

the use of a number of adaptive devices, methods, and equipment that are collectively referred to as assistive technology. Some of this technology allows access to information presented on a computer while others are devices to be used independently. Computer hardware and software are continuously advancing, allowing for more access to information than ever before. Some examples:

Computer adaptations:

Braille

translation software and equipment: converts print into braille and

braille into print.

Braille

printer: connects to a computer and embosses braille on paper.

Screen

reader: converts text on a computer screen to audible speech.

Screen

enlargement software: increases the size of text and images on a computer

screen.

Refreshable

Braille display: converts text on computer to braille by an output device

connected to the computer.

Adaptive devices:

Braille

notetakers: lightweight electronic note-taking device that can be

connected to a printer or a braille embosser to produce a printed or

brailled copy.

Optical

character reader: converts printed text into files on a computer that can

be translated into audible speech or Braille with appropriate equipment

and software.

Electronic

braillewriter: produces braille, translates braille into text or synthetic

speech.

Talking

calculators: calculates with voice output.

Optical

devices:

Closed

Circuit Television (CCTV): enlarges an image to a larger size and projects

it on a screen

Magnifiers:

enlarges images

Telescopes:

used to view distant objects

A specially trained teacher of students with visual impairments can help supply many of

these devices and can provide training for the student to become independent

and proficient in using assistive technology.

Special Education Categories and Accommodations