LITERACY-BASED DISTRICT-WIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Aiken County Public School District January 15, 2016 LEADERS IN LITERACY CONFERENCE

There’s more to it than meets the eye! Teachers for the Visually Impaired Tammie Alan Laurie Smith LEADERS IN LITERACY CONFERENCE

Developing Literacy Literacy begins with opportunities Opportunities include meaningful experiences Meaningful experiences lead to developing communication skills The ability to communicate demonstrates one’s level of literacy

What’s this look like for the Visually Impaired Student? Types of Visual Impairments:  Total Blindness (No Light Perception)  Legally Blind (Visual Acuity 20/200 best corrected)  Low Vision (Visual Acuity 20/70 – Legally Blind best corrected)  Cortical Visually Impaired (CVI-Neurological Condition)

What’s Learning Look Like in Your Class? Do you know how your students access information?  Visually  Auditory  Tactually

Adapting for the Visual Learner Consider these adaptations for the student with a visual impairment when providing literacy experiences: High Contrast Declutter Magnification Lighting (increase/decrease) Reduced Glare (paper color, overhead lighting, seating, etc.)

Adapting for the Auditory Learner Consider these adaptations for the student with a visual impairment when providing literacy experiences: Descriptive Language Positional Directions Seating Decreased auditory stimuli Access to audio text Incorporate real world sounds

Adapting for the Tactile Learner Consider these adaptations for the student with a visual impairment when providing literacy experiences: Texture Temperature Shape Concept & Recognition (3-D Forms) Graphic Representation (Raised-Line Form) Use Functional Applications Intentionally searching for an object Moving an object or moving their hands across the object Associating objects with previous knowledge Discovering similarities and differences with objects

Show and Tell and Center Time Science Weather Cycle Solar System Plants History/Social Studies Maps Landforms Globe Math Talking Calculator Math Window Manipulatives Geometric Forms

Teachers for the Visually Impaired Think of us as TLC Tammie and Laurie Consultants For the Visually Impaired Tammie Alan Laurie Smith