An Introduction to Vision Impairment

Summary

This video provides an introduction to vision impairment, offering insights into how children with visual impairments can access education effectively. It highlights personal experiences, explaining strategies for supporting learning and promoting independence, such as the use of modified materials, technology, and environmental adjustments. The video also emphasizes the importance of understanding individual needs and fostering inclusion in school environments. It features expert advice, including the value of peer awareness and early intervention, and concludes with resources for further information on supporting children with visual impairments.

Takeaways

• 🌟 The videos aim to provide a starting point for understanding children's vision impairments and strategies to support their learning.
• 👓 George, a child with cataracts, uses glasses and additional aids to help him see, highlighting the need for individualized support.
• 🎓 A teacher with a visual impairment shares their experience, emphasizing the importance of appropriate education for independence.
• 👩‍🏫 The role of a vision impairment specialist is to advocate for children, ensuring they receive the right educational support.
• 👶 Visual impairment can be stable or fluctuating, and it's crucial for educators to understand its impact on individual children.
• 🤔 Misconceptions about visual impairment exist; many people assume that if someone can read small print, their vision is fine.
• 📚 The script discusses the importance of providing modified materials like large print books to support children with vision impairments.
• 🏫 Teachers need to consider the classroom environment, accessibility, and peer awareness to create an inclusive learning space.
• 📈 Planning is essential, including seating arrangements, lighting conditions, and the use of technology to aid in learning.
• 📱 Technology like iPads and CCTVs can be used to help children with vision impairments access and engage with classroom materials.
• 📘 The script suggests that with the right support, children with vision impairments can be independent learners, using digital tools and resources.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the videos mentioned in the transcript?

The videos aim to provide a starting point for understanding the individual needs of children with vision impairment and strategies to support their learning.

What is the role of a visual impairment professional in a school setting?

The visual impairment professional acts as an advocate for the children, ensuring they receive appropriate education and support to be as independent as possible.

What is the misconception about visual impairment mentioned in the transcript?

The misconception is that people with visual impairment can see if they are reading small print, and they don't outwardly look like they have a disability.

How does the vision of some children with visual impairment change throughout the school day?

For some children, their vision can change significantly throughout the school day due to visual fatigue, with better sight in the morning and reduced sight as the day progresses.

What percentage of children in the UK have a visual impairment?

Approximately two in every 100 children in the UK have a visual impairment.

What are some proven strategies for teachers to help children with vision impairment succeed?

Strategies include considering classroom accessibility, peer awareness, modified books in large print, technology support, and ensuring the child can access the whiteboard.

Why is advanced planning essential for teachers working with visually impaired students?

Advanced planning is essential to ensure a range of resources are available, seating plans are considered, and lighting conditions are optimized for the student's needs.

How can technology assist a visually impaired student in the classroom?

Technology such as iPads with specific apps, CCTV, and screen magnification software can help students access and manipulate information independently.

What is the significance of early intervention for children with visual impairment?

Early intervention is key for developing additional skills the child may need and for supporting the family in understanding and managing the child's needs.

What advice is given to new teachers regarding supporting a child with visual impairment?

New teachers are advised to gather as much information as possible, ask the child about their visual impairment, and build a relationship to understand their specific needs.

Where can one find more information and resources about vision impairment for educational professionals?

Resources can be found on websites like abilitynet.org, the Vision Impairment Center for Teaching and Research at the University of Birmingham, and the RNIB.

Outlines

00:00

👁️ Introduction to Vision Impairment

This paragraph introduces the video series on vision impairment, highlighting collaboration with professionals, children, and experts. The aim is to offer understanding and strategies for supporting children with vision impairments. Additional resources are provided throughout the videos. It emphasizes that children with impairments can do anything others can, with slight adjustments, and shares an example of George, a visually impaired child with cataracts, who uses tools like glasses and other aids to participate fully in school.

05:01

📚 Supporting Vision-Impaired Students in Classrooms

The focus here is on strategies for accommodating students with vision impairments in the classroom. Teachers should carefully consider the environment, materials, and peer awareness to ensure inclusion. Techniques like large print books, technology, and seating arrangements are discussed, with the goal of helping students become independent learners. Jorge, a student with a visual impairment, uses an iPad to photograph the board and follow lessons without feeling different from his peers. The importance of planning and allowing extra time for tasks due to large print or Braille is highlighted.

10:02

🎒 Promoting Independence in Students with Vision Impairments

This section emphasizes the importance of fostering independence in vision-impaired students. Teachers and teaching assistants (TAs) should support students without doing tasks for them, facilitating their learning. Advanced planning, such as modifying test materials and using bold pens, is essential. Various tools, like portable CCTVs and specialized apps, are mentioned for assisting students. The goal is to train TAs to help students become self-sufficient in their education, promoting the use of resources like scientific apps on tablets during exams.

👩‍🏫 Teacher-Student Collaboration and Early Intervention

This paragraph discusses the role of early intervention and the need for teachers to engage with students about their visual impairments. Teachers are encouraged to build relationships with students and ask them directly about their needs. Controlling classroom lighting and ensuring that learning materials are accessible are key points. Vision impairment often relates to other challenges like communication, learning, and emotional health. The goal is to create an inclusive learning environment that helps students develop skills for independence.

Keywords

💡Visual Impairment

Visual impairment refers to a broad range of vision problems, from partial sight to complete blindness. It encompasses difficulties in seeing or processing visual information due to issues with the eyes, optic nerve, or the brain's cerebral cortex. In the video, it is discussed as a condition that requires different educational strategies and accommodations to ensure that children with visual impairments can access learning materials and participate fully in educational settings.

💡Cataracts

Cataracts are a common eye condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, leading to a decrease in vision clarity. In the script, George has cataracts, which is a specific cause of visual impairment that affects his ability to see clearly, necessitating the use of glasses and additional accommodations in the classroom.

💡Accessibility

Accessibility in the context of the video pertains to the modifications and adjustments made to the learning environment to ensure that children with visual impairments can engage with educational materials effectively. This includes the use of large print materials, technology, and classroom design that facilitates independent learning.

💡Visual Fatigue

Visual fatigue is a condition where the eyes become tired, leading to a decrease in visual acuity over time, particularly as the day progresses. The video mentions that children with visual impairments may experience this, affecting their ability to read and engage with visual tasks, thus requiring accommodations such as additional time for tasks.

💡Fluctuating Vision

Fluctuating vision is a term used to describe conditions where an individual's vision changes throughout the day or over time. The video script highlights that some children may have stable vision impairments, while others may experience changes, requiring dynamic adjustments in educational strategies and accommodations.

💡Inclusive Education

Inclusive education is an approach that ensures all students, including those with disabilities, are fully included in regular classrooms. The video emphasizes the importance of creating an inclusive learning environment where children with visual impairments can participate alongside their peers without feeling different or isolated.

💡Peer Awareness

Peer awareness refers to the understanding and acceptance of classmates regarding the needs of students with disabilities. The video script suggests that raising awareness among peers is crucial for creating an inclusive classroom where children with visual impairments feel supported and accepted.

💡Independence

Independence in the context of the video means enabling children with visual impairments to learn and function with minimal assistance, promoting self-reliance and self-advocacy. The video discusses various strategies, such as using technology and teaching self-advocacy skills, to help children with visual impairments become more independent in their learning.

💡Assistive Technology

Assistive technology includes devices or software designed to help individuals with disabilities perform tasks more easily. In the video, assistive technology like large print books, iPads, and CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) systems are mentioned as tools that can help children with visual impairments access educational materials and participate more effectively in the classroom.

💡Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Special Educational Needs refer to the unique learning requirements of students with disabilities or learning difficulties. The video script mentions that many children with visual impairments also have additional learning disabilities, requiring tailored educational interventions to address their specific needs.

💡Early Intervention

Early intervention refers to the timely provision of support and services to children with disabilities to enhance their development and learning. The video emphasizes the importance of early intervention for children with visual impairments, which can help them develop essential skills and better adapt to educational settings.

Highlights

The videos aim to provide understanding of individual child's needs and strategies to support learning, collaborating with school professionals and experts.

A young person with an impairment can do everything that another young person can, just in a different way.

Visual impairments may involve challenges with the eyes, optic nerve, or cerebral cortex, and glasses or contact lenses cannot fully correct vision.

Some children have stable visual impairments, while others experience fluctuating conditions that can affect their sight during the school day.

Children may experience visual fatigue, which means their vision can deteriorate as the day progresses.

In the UK, approximately 2 in 1000 children have a visual impairment, and 50% of these children may also have an additional learning disability.

Misconceptions about visual impairment include the assumption that if a child can read small print, their vision must be fine.

Teachers and staff must understand the specific needs and impacts of a child’s visual impairment to provide appropriate support.

Assistive technologies like large print materials, iPads, and screen magnifiers are essential for visually impaired students to access learning.

Early intervention and collaborative planning with parents, teachers, and visual impairment teams ensure that a child's needs are met.

Students with visual impairments often need extra time during lessons, as large print or Braille slows the pace of reading.

A key strategy for supporting visually impaired students is to foster their independence through the use of personal equipment and self-advocacy.

Classroom environments need to be adjusted for optimal lighting, seating plans, and peer awareness to ensure full inclusion.

Portable technologies, such as CCTV devices, help students adjust text visibility and enable them to learn independently.

Support from teacher assistants should focus on scaffolding learning rather than completing tasks for the child, promoting independence.

Transcripts

introduction to vision impairment these

videos have been made in collaboration

with school professionals children and

experts in the field through the content

of the videos we hope to provide a

useful place to start in understanding

the individual child's needs and

strategies to support learning

additional resources are signposted

throughout each video thank you for

watching

[Music]

a young person with an impairment can do

everything that another young person can

do they just have to access it in a

slightly different way so even ever

noticed a difference what you like about

things

George has visual impairment

he has cataracts which means he has

filter on his on his lens which is

cloudy I can't see very well

he has his glasses to help him and then

obviously we have to use different

additional needs to make sure that he's

catered for in class I play doctor for

about six years now

I'm also composing I'm planning to apply

for a university so on playing Joplin's

for the composition course a teacher you

know visually impaired or confrontation

vision cutter that is my role we are at

an advisory role but we are very much

advocates for the children to ensure

that they get the exact appropriate

education that they actually require in

order for them to be as independent as

possible so we're there to make sure

that all school staff whether it be

lunchtime supervisors the head teacher

the class teacher year real teachers

teacher assistants everybody understands

the visual impairment and the impact and

specifically in the impact it has on

that individual child in

it's an education setting what do new

teachers need to know about vision

impairment visual impairment is a

difficulty that the eyes the optic nerve

or the cerebral cortex in the brain that

means that even though they wear glasses

or contact lenses potentially that

cannot fully correct the vision we are

with a number of children with a visual

impairment and for some of them we have

very stable conditions some of the

children who have what we would a

fluctuating a condition where maybe as

they hit puberty they we should

permanently changes we also have

children when their diagnosis means that

throughout school day and throughout

school week their vision can change

quite significantly in the morning

they're much more visually alert they're

able to I read smaller prints and

they're able to be much more fluent with

their work but as the day goes on again

what's known as visual fatigue children

on a morning will have much better

sights there are two in 1004 with a

visual impairment in the UK currently

and of those children there are

approximately 50% of the children born

do have an additional learning

disability misconception with visual

impairment is that actually most people

will say but they can see so people will

see them reading for a small print and

assume that that just means that

everything's fine they will also look at

them and they don't outwardly look like

I have a disability a significant number

of children that I support to the visual

impairment they only have minor changes

that arise and no changes at all the

visual impairment team they come to see

us in September to talk about his

deterioration with his cataracts he's

had an operation before unfortunately

they have come back so obviously his

needs are now different so we have gone

to the diaper service we've ordered him

extra large print library books so he

can come in and choose different books

that will benefit him we have ordered

him

a larger print dictionary so that he has

the same needs as everybody else what is

vision impairment vision impairment is a

broad term used to describe limitations

in our ability to see or process visual

information the term vision impairment

includes blindness low vision and

partial sight it is common for a young

person with vision impairments to have

additional special educational needs or

disabilities different causes of vision

impairments and associated experiences

of vision mean the educational

interventions vary from child to child a

child's level of visual impairment may

be progressive and or fluctuating vision

may fluctuate through the school day who

does it affect vision impairment is low

incidence and affects roughly one to two

in 1004 in the UK only approximately

five in every 10,000 people are severely

sight impaired or blind what are the

proven strategies available to teachers

to help children with vision impairment

succeed how to get through the logic

state because then we get to the point

where we can do it with

you need to think very carefully about

the environment of your classroom

instead of whole school environment

teachers need to think very carefully

about accessibility so can a young

person access the sort of materials I

think it's really important that

consideration is given to peer awareness

around a young person's need as well so

they feel fully included in the

classroom the model that we work with is

the access to learning learning to

access access might be through the means

of modified books in large print they

might have technology that supports that

and they have access to the whiteboard

being modified ways and it may also mean

that the child has adult support but as

they go through we want them to

eventually that they learn to access so

that they actually have their own

equipment they direct their learning

they understand what their disability is

how it impacts on them and they can

verbalize exactly what they need so that

then they are actually able to be

independent Jorge is brilliant socially

in class he's fantastic

he de he he's always got lots of

confidence he's his peers he's always

got lots of friends his visual

impairment doesn't stop him from from

being a great friend and being socially

active advanced planning is absolutely

essential so you have a range of

resources that you think very carefully

about seating plan and about your

lighting conditions Jorge will sit on

his chair most of the time and where he

feels comfortable to see he always sits

at the back of the class so then he can

see the board clearly when we then we go

back to tables he's able to use the iPad

to go and take photographs of the board

which then he takes back to his table

he's able to see the lesson clearly on

the iPad all the children out all the

other children love it so they'll copy

him they're amazed we can't see for them

they're going oh yeah go get an iPad and

then he doesn't feel he doesn't feel

special he doesn't feel different so

everyone's doing the same

young people might need additional time

because they may be the text of their

reading might be in large print or

Braille but it's really important that

you consider that in within your lesson

and within your planning as well because

the pace of a mainstream lesson can be

very very fast you don't have the luxury

of lots and lots of time

nobody's training you're going to be

assessed on a journey usually you will

you will have a few sessions with the

mobile training teacher and this teacher

will guide you

after happen enough sessions this

teacher will assess you if you do that

without any problems you are allowed to

go to that place whenever you want these

liquid level indicators are on helpful

tools in the school for um you know

children who can't see and may have

trouble pouring themselves a drink I

always try to get my work in advance

sometimes you say you will branch like

exam papers you know larger font size

but I still prefer to have everything

digital just make things much easier

imagine that I have like ten past papers

and then it's all of them will be in a

tree and maybe we different font size so

you'd have many paper to carry and that

sometimes can be a little bit heavy

what's learning very last year however

this year I'm not learning it anymore if

there's something that I cannot read you

can use some kind of speech software

they are able to read out loud to what

is written I take with me something

called a CCTV a portable CCTV actually

if you have a textbook you can flip the

colors around and also can enlarge it as

much as you want I do my own testing

with the children regularly over three

four times a year so then I have to take

into account that actually I need to go

and enlarge the you know the text for

him to make sure that he's okay with it

my old vision parents find it quite hard

to see pencils they benefit from having

bold black pens as a child gets a little

bit older they're not keen on using

felt-tip pens because I think it makes

them look young use a handwriting pen

but what they do is they actually rub

out

so we've got scientific apps that are

available on iPads and tablets these are

permissible for use in exams as well at

GCSEs some young people they might have

quite a lot of TA support or the young

people might just have ta support in

certain lessons and some young people

are very confident and very independent

with their equipment and they won't have

a TA at all so it's really important to

plan and I think it's also very

important that ultimately we want young

people to be as independent as possible

so it's also training the TA and how

they effectively support a young person

so they're not doing the work for them

they are facilitating them they are

supporting their scaffolding because

they've learned

hodgins transported by myself with that

I can just go to wherever I want and I

think that's something that's something

really important for being an

independent student from our perspective

early intervention is absolutely key so

in the first incident you're you're

supporting the parents and the family

but what you're also doing is supporting

them to actually develop the child's

additional skills that they maybe need

to learn meaning his monkey I'm really

round she's always happy she always

comes in if there's any problems and

again we had the meeting at beginning of

the year with the visual impairment team

a mum come and sat in with us so he was

able to discuss you know his needs how

he what he was happy with doing not

doing my main advice to new teachers is

to get as much information as possible

don't be afraid to ask the young person

about the visual impairment my best

advice to support a child with visual

impairment was boot being to talk to the

child to build that relationship with

them then they'd be able to talk to you

to be able to tell you what needs that

you know what makes them feel

comfortable and what hope they need the

best way to understand

to be if the teacher could have the

chance to talk to the student

individually and asks and as dissident

or what do you need how we can help you

consider he blinds our dear lighting in

the room think about actually

controlling the light through the

windows because that will aid children's

access to their written work but also

the interactive whiteboard which areas

of need is vision impairment related to

it has a strong connection with

communication and interaction cognition

and learning and social emotional and

mental health difficulties which

techniques are helpful for people's with

vision impairments access to learning

this is ensuring that the learning

environment facilitates the child or

young person's education for example

using in large lesson material clutter

free spaces multi-sensory learning

experiences learning to access this is

supporting the child or young person to

develop skills to become independent

learners for example using specialist

apps on tablet computers using a screen

reader or magnification software or

advocating for adjustments so tablets

have become a huge thing in learning

both primary and secondary the only

thing that we stipulate is that the

child has their own world rather than

sharing one just sort they can fully

accessing and manipulating zooming in

magnifying taking shots of everything so

that they can control their learning

where can I find more information about

vision impairment

advice on some useful apps is available

here WWE abilitynet org to UK forward

slash news

- blogs forward slash apps - students -

site - loss a list of resources

including best teaching practice

guidelines are available via the vision

impairment center for teaching and

research on the university of birmingham

web site www.kpbs.org/news/evening the

RM ib also offers support wwr m ib dot

org dot UK forward slash services

- we - offer - advice - professionals

forward slash education - professional

we would like to give special thanks to

the young people and parents for their

invaluable contribution to the creation

of these videos if you have any

questions comments or feedback on these

films please get in touch at info at

whole school SEM v-notch coffee

this project is funded by the Department

for Education