visual impairment

11

Visual ImpairmentVisual Impairment

TLSE 240TLSE 240

2

Meaning of Visual Meaning of Visual

Impairments Impairments

Visually impaired children may be defined Visually impaired children may be defined as those children who suffer from the as those children who suffer from the impaired conditions, difficulties and impaired conditions, difficulties and deficiencies presentdeficiencies present in their visual organs in their visual organs which make them different from children which make them different from children with normal vision to extent of requiring with normal vision to extent of requiring special education provision.special education provision.

3

Definitions of Visual Definitions of Visual ImpairmentsImpairments

Visual Impairments /blend/Visual Impairments /blend/- - vision cannot be primary learning channelvision cannot be primary learning channelPartially Sighted Partially Sighted -- some useful vision – person may see colors some useful vision – person may see colors

and figures with blurringand figures with blurring-- vision between 20/70 and 20/200vision between 20/70 and 20/200Legal definition: any of the followingLegal definition: any of the following-- only reads first E with both eyesonly reads first E with both eyes-- 20/200 vision with glasses20/200 vision with glasses-- tunnel vision (less than 20 degrees)tunnel vision (less than 20 degrees)

4

Types of Visual Types of Visual ImpairmentsImpairments

1.1. Hyperopia (far sightedness) Hyperopia (far sightedness)Can see objects of far away but not nearCan see objects of far away but not nearCause : size of eye ball is too shorter.Cause : size of eye ball is too shorter.

22.. Myopia (near sightedness)Myopia (near sightedness)Can see objects of near but not far awayCan see objects of near but not far awayCause : size of eye ball is too longerCause : size of eye ball is too longer

3. 3. Astigmatism Astigmatism Cause : irregularity in cornea or eye surfaceCause : irregularity in cornea or eye surfaceCannot focus at one object regularly.Cannot focus at one object regularly.

5

4. 4. Color Blindness :Color Blindness :Genetic causes – natal, prenatal, postnatalGenetic causes – natal, prenatal, postnatalProblem with cones cells of the eyeProblem with cones cells of the eyeDecreased ability to differenciate between colorsDecreased ability to differenciate between colors

5.5. Retinopathy of Prematurity: Retinopathy of Prematurity:This condition is common in children who were This condition is common in children who were premature babies that required high premature babies that required high concentration of oxygen at birth. Scarring and concentration of oxygen at birth. Scarring and detachment of the retina can result from this detachment of the retina can result from this condition. condition.

6.6. Macular D Generation: Macular D Generation:Loss of central visionLoss of central visionTwo objects looks like one Two objects looks like one

6

7. 7. Glaucoma :Glaucoma :Due to the blockage of the fluids that normally Due to the blockage of the fluids that normally circulate within the eyecirculate within the eyeDeficiency in formation of eyesDeficiency in formation of eyes

8. 8. Diabetic Retinopathy :Diabetic Retinopathy :Cause : disease of diabetesCause : disease of diabetesDiabetes unusual interference with the blood Diabetes unusual interference with the blood supply to the retinasupply to the retinaMay result in serious vision impairement i.e. total May result in serious vision impairement i.e. total blindness.blindness.

9. 9. Cataract :Cataract :Condition or state of cloudiness in the lens into a Condition or state of cloudiness in the lens into a distorted or incomplete visiondistorted or incomplete visionBecause of neurological vision loss of both eyesBecause of neurological vision loss of both eyes

7

1010. Amblyopea :. Amblyopea :

one eye vision loss due to muscle imbalanceone eye vision loss due to muscle imbalance

Lazy eyeLazy eye

Child sees two images of the one objectChild sees two images of the one object

11. 11. Crossed eye :Crossed eye :

It represents an inability of the individual to focus It represents an inability of the individual to focus on the same object with both eyes on the same object with both eyes simultaneously. simultaneously.

12. 12. Coloboma:Coloboma: a condition in which the central a condition in which the central areas of the retina of a new born are found areas of the retina of a new born are found incomplete in their formation. It may be serious incomplete in their formation. It may be serious impairement.impairement.

8

Challenges of Visual Challenges of Visual Impairment in the ClassroomImpairment in the Classroom

Fewer opportunities to acquire information Fewer opportunities to acquire information visually ( i.e. maps ,art)visually ( i.e. maps ,art)Learning DifficultiesLearning Difficulties-- may read very slowly –fall behindmay read very slowly –fall behind- - difficult to meet the demands difficult to meet the demands of general of general education classroomeducation classroomSocial difficultiesSocial difficulties- - can’t catch non-verbal cues from others can’t catch non-verbal cues from others -- inability to judge distance ( i.e. stand too inability to judge distance ( i.e. stand too

close when socializing) close when socializing)

9

Identification of VisualIdentification of Visual Impairments Impairments

Complaints of headacheComplaints of headacheBlinks eye frequentlyBlinks eye frequentlyHolds objects close to his eyesHolds objects close to his eyesRub eyes excessivelyRub eyes excessivelyThe pupils of the eyes are of different sizesThe pupils of the eyes are of different sizesSeem very sensitive to lightSeem very sensitive to lightBecomes inattentive during reading sessionsBecomes inattentive during reading sessionsWatering of eyesWatering of eyesTakes false steps while walkingTakes false steps while walking

10

Causes of VisualCauses of Visual Impairments Impairments

Transfer of genes associated from the parentsTransfer of genes associated from the parentsCarelessness adopted by pregnant mothersCarelessness adopted by pregnant mothersMishaps and incidentsMishaps and incidentsUnfavorable conditions .i.e. starvation, Unfavorable conditions .i.e. starvation, malnutrition etcmalnutrition etcEye infections and eye diseasesEye infections and eye diseasesEvil effects of fatal diseaseEvil effects of fatal diseaseImproper postures adopted at work placesImproper postures adopted at work placesReading, writing and working in defective and Reading, writing and working in defective and improper lightsimproper lights

11

Educational provisions for VisualEducational provisions for Visual Impairments Impairments

A.A. Decision concerning educational Decision concerning educational placementplacement :- :-

a. Regular class rooma. Regular class room

b. Itinerant teacher programb. Itinerant teacher program

c. Resource room programc. Resource room program

d. Full time special class d. Full time special class

12


B.B. Decision concerning curriculum :-Decision concerning curriculum :- a. Personal competence, self adjustments and a. Personal competence, self adjustments and

daily living skillsdaily living skills b. Orientation and mobilityb. Orientation and mobility c. Communication skillsc. Communication skills d. Vocational guidance & career developmentd. Vocational guidance & career development e. Use of special aids and equipments like :e. Use of special aids and equipments like : tape and cassette recorderstape and cassette recorders Talking booksTalking books Personal computers and typewritersPersonal computers and typewriters BrailleBraille Large type materialsLarge type materials..

13


CC. . Decision concerning curriculum Decision concerning curriculum implementationimplementation :- :-

a. Development of essential skills fora. Development of essential skills for gaining information and knowledge gaining information and knowledge Training in the use of Braille systemTraining in the use of Braille system Provision of low vision aids with necessary Provision of low vision aids with necessary

trainingtraining b. Development of listening skillsb. Development of listening skills c. Orientation and mobility trainingc. Orientation and mobility training d. Development of independent living skillsd. Development of independent living skills

14

Tools and Technology for the visual Tools and Technology for the visual impairmentsimpairments

Special software programs and closed circuit Special software programs and closed circuit televisions enlarge the text on a screen until it is televisions enlarge the text on a screen until it is large enough to read. E.g. kyanlarge enough to read. E.g. kyan

Computerised speech systems read text directly Computerised speech systems read text directly from the screen to the user. The text can be from the screen to the user. The text can be converted into Braille that is displayed directly on converted into Braille that is displayed directly on a specially modified keyboard and read by a specially modified keyboard and read by touch.touch.

Audio description which help people with sight Audio description which help people with sight problems enjoy television, dvd’s or theatre.problems enjoy television, dvd’s or theatre.

15

Classroom Accommodation :Classroom Accommodation :

1.1. Welcoming the studentWelcoming the student

2.2. SafetySafety

3.3. SeatingSeating

4.4. Assigmnent and examination.Assigmnent and examination.

1616

Visual ImpairmentsVisual Impairments

TLSE 240TLSE 240