Pointers
on working with children with visual impairments
- Feel comfortable using words such as see and look. These
words are as much a part of the vocabulary of the child with a visual
impairment as they are of anyone else's. He uses them to connote his
methods of seeing, either touching or looking very closely, and in expressions
used in daily conversation, such as, "see you soon."
- Introduce the child with a visual impairment as you would with any
student. Questions will arise from ohter children and adults. Encourage
the visually handicapped child to answer these questions for himself.
- Include the visually handicapped student in all activities (physical
education, home economics, industrial arts, etc.). The resource or itinerant
teacher can offer suggestions as to methods and special equipment or
aids which may be helpful in some activities.
- At times all children like to be the center of attention (team captain,
program announcer, etc.). Encourage the child with VI to take leadership
positions just as other children do.
- The same disciplinary rules that apply to the rest of the class shoud
apply to the child with VI.
- Encourage the student with VI to move about the classroom to obtain
his materials or visual information. He will know his own needs and
his method of compensating will soon become part of classroom routine.
- The child with vision limitations may not be aware of and therefore
may not become interested in events occurring at a distance. The child
may not notice, for example, a facial expression, nod, or arm movement
suggesting that he come over to you or respond to a question. Verbal
cues may be necessary.
- Provide additional work, desk, or locker space as needed to accommodate
special materials (bulky braille or large print books, reading stands,
etc.).
- As a result of getting to know their classmate with a visual impairment,
students may become interested in topics related to vision and visual
impairment. You may wish to incorporate this into class lessons: in
science, light and optics may be a topic for discussion; in health,
attitudes toward disabilities; social studies lessons may include information
about service agencies in the community. If the child with VI feels
comfortable about this information, he may want to participate in the
presentation of the lesson.
- All children are sensitive to peer criticism. Your own acceptance
of the child with VI will serve as a positive example for the class.
- The student with VI may bring adaptive aids into the classroom. Encourage
him or her to use the aids as needed and to answer any questions that
others have about the aids as they arise.
- Because some visually handicapped children prefer not to bring attention
to their handicap, they will use special aids and assistance from others
only when absolutely necessary. In general, you should respect the child's
wishes, but if you suspect he really needs more aids or assistance than
he is using, you may wish to discuss this problem with the resource
teacher.
- When approaching a blind student, unless he knows you well, always
state your name. Voices are not always easy to identify, particularly
in crowds or stress situations.
- A totally blind child or a child with a severe visual impairment may
exhibit certain mannerisms (fingers in the eyes or eye poking, rocking,
extra movements). Encourage good posture and consult with the resource
or itinerant teacher for dealing with this behavior.
- A child with impaired vision can usually learn to avoid obstacles
in the classroom and school corridors. The resource or itinerant teacher
will alert you if there are any specific problems (stairs, outside playground,
dimly lighted areas, etc.).
- The resource or itinerant teacher will familiarize a totally blind
child or a child with a severe visual impairment with the classroom
and surrounding areas. She will also teach the student how to get to
and from the classroom independently.
- Sometimes a visually handicapped child may choose to (or need to)
utilize a sighted guide.
Keystone Kids is a program of
the
Keystone Blind Association
e-mail: kba@keystoneblind.org
|