Visual ImpairmentBy: Mauro Garcia

Contents1. Types of Visual Impairment2. Signs of Visual Impairment3. Help Under IDEA4. Tips for Parents5. Tips for Teachers

IDEA Definition of Visual Impairment• An impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely

affects a child’s educational performance.• This definition includes both partial sight and blindness

Help Under IDEA• Early Intervention- A system of services to support infants

and toddlers with disabilities (before 3 years old) and their families.

• Special Education and Related Services- Services available though the public school system for school-aged children, including preschoolers. (ages 3-21)

• If a child meets the definition of visual impairment under IDEA as well as the state’s criteria, then they are eligible to receive the service they qualify for.

Signs of Visual Impairment• Eyes that don’t move together when

following an object or a face• Crossed eyes, eyes that turn our or in,

eyes that flutter from side to side or up and down, or eyes that don’t seem to focus

• Eyes that bulge, or bounce in rapid movements

• Pupils that are unequal in size

Signs of Visual Impairment cont.• Repeated shutting or covering of one eye• Unusual degree of bumping into things or

knocking things over• Frequent squinting, blinking, eye rubbing• Sitting too close to toys, books or TV.

Types of Visual ImpairmentStrabismus- Where the eyes look in different direction and do not focus simultaneously on a single point.

Optic Nerve Hypoplasia- Which is caused by underdeveloped fibers in the optic nerve and which affects depth perception, sensitivity to light, and acuity of vision.

Cortical Visual Impairment- Which is caused by damage to the part of the brain related to vision, not to the eyes itself.

Types of Visual Impairment cont.

Coloboma- Where a portion of the structure of the eye is missing.

Congenital Cataracts- Where the lens of the eye is cloudy.

Retinopathy of Prematurity- Which may occur in premature babies when the light-sensitive retina hasn’t developed sufficiently before birth.

Retinitis Pigmentosa- A rare inherited disease that slowly destroys the retina.

Children Affected & Types of Impairment• Vision difficulty refers to children

who have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing corrective lenses and those who are blind

• Severe Vision Impairment refers to children who are unable to see words and letters in ordinary print.

• Legally blind refers to children who have 20/200 vision or worse and that the vision can not be corrected with corrective lenses.

Severity Children Affected

Vision Difficulty 490,420

Severe Vision Impairment 42,000

Legally Blind 59,341

Tips for Parents• Learn as much as possible about the specific visual

impairment• Encourage curiosity and help your child explore• Work with school staff• Talk to other parents

Tips for Teachers• Ask to be a part of the IEP team• Talk to special education teachers about

learning strategies• Find the materials or resources needed to

support the student• Talk to the student’s parents

Differentiated InstructionIdeas for Students with Visual Impairments

Contents1. Academic Needs2. Social Needs3. Daily Living Needs4. Support Sensorial Learning5. Classroom Accommodations

Academic Needs• Find out if school has technology needed to help

student succeed in the classroom• Practice auditory skills since hearing will be primary

learning tool• Keep information on braille books available• Practice analytic touch to get a sense of object

Social Needs• Help distinguish between behaviors that are socially

unacceptable in public, yet acceptable in private.• Understanding social distance for various

communication situations.• Make student comfortable when asking for help

when appropriate • Showing acceptable social behavior in a multitude of

group situations.

Daily Living Needs• Help understand importance of:• Basic personal hygiene• Dressing skills• Preparing meals• Practice eating skills• Managing money• Using technology like cellphones, computers etc.• Basic understanding of time and keeping schedules

Supporting Sensorial Learning• Requires uses of other

senses to make up for lack of vision

• Ask questions like:• “Do you smell dinner?”• “Can you hear the bird

singing outside?”• “Isn’t the dog’s fur soft?”• Allow them to hold

objects in their hands to get a complete picture.

Making Classroom Accommodations• Keep aisles clear of debris• Notify students if any changes in the classroom are

made• Make extra space for equipment like books in braille,

enlarged print materials or other hardware• Be clear when giving instructions• Allow for extra time to finish assignments• Assign a peer to help in case of emergency

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Contents 1. Educational Programs

2. Comprehensive Programs

3. School Information

Educational Programs• Academics- Designed for students who are functioning within two 

years of their grade level. This is the regular, public school curriculum  for grades K-12, including the Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills  adopted by the state.

• Elementary concepts- Designed for students ages 6-12 years of age  who are blind or visually impaired and may have additional impairments.  This approach is for students who are at the readiness level for  academic learning, but are not yet reading, writing or doing math  on a first grade level.

Educational Programs cont.• Practical Academics- Designed for students 12 years of age or

older  who are functioning more than two years below their chronological  age, with at least kindergarten equivalent reading and writing skills.  Practical Academics courses focus on teaching students to use their  academics skills in a variety of meaningful, functional tasks in  preparation for adult life.

• Basic Skills- Designed for students aged 6-22 who have visual impairments  combined with other disabilities who learn best with the support  of consistent routines and meaningful functional activities.

Comprehensive Programs• These programs focus on a more expanded core curriculum.• These skills include:

• braille and other modes to access the general curriculum• orientation and mobility• assistive technology• career education• independent living skills• recreation and leisure• sensory efficiency• social interaction skills

School Website• Admission Process• Visiting the school• Connecting with other parents• More information

Works Cited• www.tsbvi.edu• www.nichy.org• www.education.com• The Inclusive Classroom M. Mastropieri Pearson Lynch 4th ed.