Blind or Visually Impaired Students
College requires enormous amounts of reading, and this is perhaps
the single largest barrier for students who are blind or visually
impaired. There is tremendous variability in the level of impairment
for this group of students. Basically, there are students who are "legally
blind," which is defined as having worse than 20/200 vision
after correction, and students who are totally blind. Some students
have diseases that cause their visual acuity to fluctuate from time
to time, thus necessitating accommodations during this time period.
Students who are visually impaired may benefit from the following
strategies:
Instructional Strategies to Help Students Who Are Blind or Visually
Impaired
- Provide a list of required textbooks and/or syllabi in advance
to allow time for arrangements such as texts on tape, brailling
of texts, or enlarged print.
- Permit lecture notes to be taped and/or provide enlarged copies
of lecture notes where appropriate.
- Make available large print copies of classroom materials
by enlarging them on a photocopier.
- Convey in spoken words whatever you write on the chalkboard.
- Read aloud subtitles when using media resources.
- Assist the student in finding note takers or readers as
necessary.
- Reserve front row seats for students who are visually
impaired.
- Inform students who are blind if you rearrange
classroom furniture.
- Keep classroom doors fully opened or closed.
Do not leave them ajar.
- Contact the office of Services for Individuals with
Disabilities to assist in arranging tests in alternate
formats, i.e..,
oral, taped,
or
enlarged print.
A minimum of five working days notice is
requested.
Information Courtesy of Guilford
Technical Community College. Used
with permission.
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