1. Managing the educational support of learners with low vision Hazel Sacharowitz hazel@lowvision.co.za

2. WHAT IS LOW VISION? Partially sighted Visually impaired Visually disabled Most misunderstood - thought of as “all or nothing”

3. WHAT IS LOW VISION? Disease or pathology in eye or along visual pathway No medical, surgical nor conventional optometric treatment Permanent irreversible loss Is remaining vision!!!

4. Visual defect may be: in the globe the optic pathways or visual cortex may be hereditary / congenital / acquired may affect: visual acuity visual field colour perception contrast sensitivity dark adaptation ocular motility and fusion

5. Where does LV fit in on a scale? 20/20NLP

6. Definition of low vision (WHO) A person with low vision is one who has impairment of visual function even after the treatment and /or standard refractive correction and has acuity of less than 6/18 (20/60) to light perception OR a visual field of less than 10 degrees from the point of fixation, but who uses or is potentially able to use vision for the planning and/or execution of a task.

7. TREATMENT OPTIONS 1. Magnification / minification – a. distance b. size c. angular d. projection 2. Eye movement skills 3. Alternative devices – lighting, contrast, auditory

8. 1. MAGNIFICATION out of the “non-seeing” part of the eye into remaining “seeing” part

9. Central vision loss something

10. Central vision with magnification something

11. 1. Magnification: a) Approach magnification Halve distance, double acuity

12. b) Size magnification Increase size of task material: large print large digit watch enlarged TV/computer screen photostat larger!!

13. c) Angular magnification Low vision devices Not trial and error - systematic Need full assessment to determine amount of magnification Individual approach unique for each person Task dependant

14. Angular magnification DISTANCE Telescopes: hand held mounted clip-on focusable auto-focus

15. Angular magnification NEAR Hand magnifiers Stand magnifiers Spectacle mounted

16. d) Projection magnification Overhead projector Slide projector CCTV systems: Large amounts of variable magnification Contrast settings variable Comfortable working distance Variety of tasks

17. 2. EYE MOVEMENT SKILLS something

18. Magnification only something

19. Magnification & eye movement something

20. 3. Non-optical a. Lighting b. Glare reduction c. Contrast d. Auditory

21. a) LIGHTING Individual needs may vary Children need well-lit rooms and play areas – at home and school Consider: Amount Ability to control Placement Glare reduction

22. LIGHTING PLACEMENT Should not look into direct light Teachers should be careful not to stand in front of windows Behind and on side of better seeing eye BE AWARE OF LIGHT/DARK ADAPTATION TIME

23. b) GLARE Is light that serves no purpose Beware of light focused on glossy surfaces : glass doors cabinets glossy paper – use non-glossy paper shiny desk tops – cover cloth/paper Computer – change polarity

24. c) COLOUR CONTRAST Black against white Light yellow against dark blue Avoid using pastel colors next to each other Red often difficult to see - marking

25. CONTRAST Stairways – tape/paint edges Light switches Telephone Dials – hi-mark Hand rails Play surface

26. d) Auditory options Lap top or desk top computer – large character display; synthetic speech – JAWS / DOLPHIN programs… Tape recorder Read aloud as you write on blackboard

27. MODIFICATION OF THE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT

28. READING Appropriate use of low vision devices Use clearly printed reading material – avoid poor photostat copies Black print on white or yellow paper Be aware of different colour text and different font in some books Enlarge print where applicable Enlarge labels of diagrams rather than diagram itself

29. WRITING Appropriate use of low vision devices Encourage use of black felt tip or roller ball pens rather than ballpoint or pencil(B) Use clearly lined white or yellow paper with matt finish

30. WRITING KHOKI PEN BLACK INK PENCILS HB vs B

31. BLACKBOARD WORK Appropriate use of low vision devices Allow pupil to sit in front row Allow pupil to walk to board to check information Use the board in logical sequence with adequate spacing

32. BLACKBOARD WORK continued Read aloud as you write Keep board clean for maximum contrast Yellow or white chalk; black koki pen Be aware of glare Provide clear copy of text in advance Don’t stand in front of window

33. SEATING Encourage good posture – note desk & chair height with close working distance Sloping desk or bookstand helpful Seat child so to maximize areas of vision – possibly better sight on one side than the other

34. CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT Keep room free from clutter particularly on floor Adequate lighting Mark stairs with contrast strips Make glass doors visible Avoid sharp protrusions on furniture & fittings Position displays at appropriate height in good light, no glare

35. THANK YOU ….. hazel@lowvision.co.za Tel: (011) 678 - 4438 www.lighthouse.org www.rnib.org