1. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Chapter 11 Visual Disabilities This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; any rental lease, or lending of the program. Introduction to Special Education: Making a Difference 6th Edition

2. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Focus Questions How can the category of visual disabilities be divided into two functional subgroups? How can the category of visual disabilities be divided into two functional subgroups? What are the major causes of visual disabilities? What are the major causes of visual disabilities? What are some ways learning environment can be modified to accommodate students with visual disabilities? What are some ways learning environment can be modified to accommodate students with visual disabilities? Why must orientation and mobility be long-term curriculum targets for many low vision and most blind students, and what specific skills must be included? Why must orientation and mobility be long-term curriculum targets for many low vision and most blind students, and what specific skills must be included? What technological advances can assist people with visual disabilities at school, in the workplace, and in independent living? What technological advances can assist people with visual disabilities at school, in the workplace, and in independent living?

3. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Challenge Question Why has Braille literacy become such an emotionally charged debate, and how do you think it should be resolved? Why has Braille literacy become such an emotionally charged debate, and how do you think it should be resolved?

4. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Opportunities for a Better Future Vision Vision Is a distance sense Is a distance sense Is a channel used for learning Is a channel used for learning Alerts people to danger Alerts people to danger People with visual disabilities People with visual disabilities Use residual vision Use residual vision Often find mobility a challenge Often find mobility a challenge Frequently face considerable stereotypes and bias Frequently face considerable stereotypes and bias Make up about 0.05% of all schoolchildren Make up about 0.05% of all schoolchildren

5. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Thinking About Dilemmas to Solve How school districts will meet the IDEA mandate to offer braille instruction to those who need it when there are insufficient members of teachers available who know how to teach this skill to students How school districts will meet the IDEA mandate to offer braille instruction to those who need it when there are insufficient members of teachers available who know how to teach this skill to students How the general literacy levels of blind and low vision students who read print can be increased How the general literacy levels of blind and low vision students who read print can be increased Ways to eliminate bias and discrimination experienced by people with visual disabilities Ways to eliminate bias and discrimination experienced by people with visual disabilities How instruction in life skills can be included when students are fully participating in the general education curriculum How instruction in life skills can be included when students are fully participating in the general education curriculum Methods of improving the employment rates for this group of people Methods of improving the employment rates for this group of people

6. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon History of the Field Blind people were accepted in early societies; possibly the first group of individuals with disabilities who did not face inhumane treatment Blind people were accepted in early societies; possibly the first group of individuals with disabilities who did not face inhumane treatment Students with visual disabilities were one of the first groups integrated into general education classes in the U.S. Students with visual disabilities were one of the first groups integrated into general education classes in the U.S. Brief History 1829: Louise Braille adapts French military code 1829: The New England Asylum for the Blind opens (Perkins Institute and Massachusetts School for the Blind) 1862: Snellen test is developed 1900: First public class begins in Chicago 1921: American Foundation for the Blind is founded 1947: Hoover cane is developed 1975: Kurzweil Reader is invented 1997: IDEA requires Braille be considered as a reading option

7. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Low Vision and Blindness Defined In the normal visual process: In the normal visual process: Light rays enter the cornea Light rays enter the cornea The iris responds to the intensity of light The iris responds to the intensity of light Light passes through the pupil to the lens Light passes through the pupil to the lens The lens focuses light rays onto the retina The lens focuses light rays onto the retina The retina sends messages along the optic nerve to the brain The retina sends messages along the optic nerve to the brain

8. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Low Vision and Blindness Defined Types of vision loss include: Types of vision loss include: Visual Acuity Visual Acuity Peripheral Vision Peripheral Vision Tunnel Vision Tunnel Vision Restricted Central Vision Restricted Central Vision

9. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Low Vision and Blindness Defined Visual efficiency: Visual efficiency: Is how well people use their sight Is how well people use their sight Is influenced by visual acuity and peripheral vision Is influenced by visual acuity and peripheral vision Varies greatly among individuals Varies greatly among individuals Can be divided into: Can be divided into: Low vision Low vision Blindness Blindness Can be classified by: Can be classified by: Severity Severity Age of onset Age of onset Students with low vision may use sight for reading Students with low vision may use sight for reading Students who are blind cannot use vision and are educated through other sensory channels Students who are blind cannot use vision and are educated through other sensory channels Acuity Acuity Normal vision is said to be 20/20 20/70 means this person can see at 20 feet what people with normal vision see at 70 feet

10. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Characteristics Visual information contributes to the acquisition of social skills Visual information contributes to the acquisition of social skills People with visual impairments have decreased opportunities for social interaction People with visual impairments have decreased opportunities for social interaction Characteristics attributed to people who are blind include: Characteristics attributed to people who are blind include: Low self-esteem Low self-esteem Socially immature Socially immature Isolated Isolated Passive Passive Withdrawn Withdrawn Dependent Dependent

11. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Prevalence Children with visual disabilities comprise 0.05% of the school-age population Children with visual disabilities comprise 0.05% of the school-age population The number of students remains stable The number of students remains stable Prevalence figures vary by state because: Prevalence figures vary by state because: Many are unidentified Many are unidentified Definitions vary by state Definitions vary by state Many are counted in the multiple disabilities category Many are counted in the multiple disabilities category Of access to medical technology Of access to medical technology

12. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Causes and Prevention Substantial number of children have a genetic cause for their visual disability Substantial number of children have a genetic cause for their visual disability Medical technology can now correct or lessen the impact of a visual disability Medical technology can now correct or lessen the impact of a visual disability Medical technology contributes to the number of visual disabilities by increasing the survival rates of premature babies and those with multiple disabilities Medical technology contributes to the number of visual disabilities by increasing the survival rates of premature babies and those with multiple disabilities Many visual disabilities can be prevented or lessened through: Many visual disabilities can be prevented or lessened through: Medical technology Visual screenings Safety measures Access to health care

13. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Assessment and Intervention Assessment is used to determine students’ educational placement, curricular needs and related services. Assessment is used to determine students’ educational placement, curricular needs and related services.

14. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Technology Computers provide access to printed information through: Computers provide access to printed information through: Electronic books Electronic books Closed circuit television (CCTV) Closed circuit television (CCTV) Talking books Talking books Braille versions of texts Braille versions of texts Kurzweil 1000 readers Kurzweil 1000 readers New technology includes: New technology includes: Visual aids: enlarged print displays, large-print books Visual aids: enlarged print displays, large-print books Audio aids: Braille n’ Speak, talking books, watches and clocks, audio descriptions Audio aids: Braille n’ Speak, talking books, watches and clocks, audio descriptions Tactile aids: labels, maps, books Tactile aids: labels, maps, books Barriers to assistive technology Barriers to assistive technology Cost Cost Information Information

15. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Early Childhood Education Effective preschool programs should promote: Effective preschool programs should promote: Basic communication and interaction patterns Basic communication and interaction patterns Play Play Students who are blind or have low vision are two years behind sighted peers in play skills Students who are blind or have low vision are two years behind sighted peers in play skills Exemplar preschool programs: Exemplar preschool programs: Are structured Have secure atmospheres Include many play opportunities Are informal and homelike Have broad instructional opportunities Include interaction with peers without disabilities Support the family Support literacy skills

16. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Elementary Through High School The majority of students spend the majority of their time in general education classrooms The majority of students spend the majority of their time in general education classrooms Curriculum targets should include: Curriculum targets should include: Life skills Life skills Skills for independence Skills for independence Literacy Literacy Orientation and mobility Orientation and mobility Sports and recreation Sports and recreation Methods of reading and writing include: Methods of reading and writing include: Braille (less than 10%) Braille (less than 10%) Enlarged print Enlarged print Print to voice translations Print to voice translations

17. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Elementary Through High School Braille-to-print and print-to-braille is readily available through computer technology and makes access to the general education curriculum easy Braille-to-print and print-to-braille is readily available through computer technology and makes access to the general education curriculum easy Braille is less popular today because: Braille is less popular today because: Unavailability of teachers who know how to use or teach braille Unavailability of teachers who know how to use or teach braille Increasing availability of audiotapes Increasing availability of audiotapes Immediate computerized print-to-voice translations Immediate computerized print-to-voice translations Difficulty in both cost and time of getting braille versions of books Difficulty in both cost and time of getting braille versions of books

18. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Elementary Through High School Accommodations and modifications are determined for each student and may include: Accommodations and modifications are determined for each student and may include: Changing a teaching style Changing a teaching style Allowing students to position themselves where they can benefit most from instruction Allowing students to position themselves where they can benefit most from instruction Elimination of obstacles and hazards Elimination of obstacles and hazards Providing consistent organization, expectations, and consequences Providing consistent organization, expectations, and consequences

19. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Collaboration for Inclusion Over 85% of youngsters attend public school Over 85% of youngsters attend public school Only 8% attend residential center schools Only 8% attend residential center schools Collaborative services from visual disabilities experts should be available to all students Collaborative services from visual disabilities experts should be available to all students Itinerant vision teachers can help general educators to structure the learning and physical environment Itinerant vision teachers can help general educators to structure the learning and physical environment All teachers should be aware of their language All teachers should be aware of their language Avoid vague language and be careful to use Avoid vague language and be careful to use terms that concretely name their referents. Extended time is an important accommodation in inclusive settings Extended time is an important accommodation in inclusive settings

20. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Transition Through Adulthood Bias and discrimination remain barriers to employment commensurate with abilities Bias and discrimination remain barriers to employment commensurate with abilities Blind and low vision students have one of the highest high school graduation rates of all students with disabilities Blind and low vision students have one of the highest high school graduation rates of all students with disabilities As a group, they tend to be under-employed due to discrimination and sometimes a lack of: As a group, they tend to be under-employed due to discrimination and sometimes a lack of: High level of literacy High level of literacy Social interaction Social interaction Self-advocacy Self-advocacy Many adults feel that their access to recreational, leisure, and cultural activities is limited Many adults feel that their access to recreational, leisure, and cultural activities is limited More events are becoming accessible because of changes in attitudes and the ADA law More events are becoming accessible because of changes in attitudes and the ADA law

21. Copyright © 2007 Allyn & Bacon Families Parents must help their children develop skills such as: Parents must help their children develop skills such as: Communication Communication Independent living Independent living Mobility Mobility Sensory development Sensory development Fine and gross motor skills Fine and gross motor skills Cognition Cognition Social skills Social skills Parents and educators need to develop strong partnerships Parents and educators need to develop strong partnerships