1. Blind and Low Vision
Kelly Castino

2. Stimulation of Being Visually Impaired
How would you describe your feelings,what you saw, heard or imagined while watching this video.

3. Definition If even with some type of correction, the person
has 20/200 acuity or less they are considered
legally blind. 20/200 means that a person sees 20 ft when a person without vision problems sees 200 ft.
If a person is legally blind, the person “has a field of vision so narrow that its widest diameter subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees” (Hallahan, Kauffman & Pullman, 2009,pg. 380)
Low vision or partially sighted is when a person has visual acuity between 20/70 and 20/200 in the better eye even with some form of correction.

4. Prevalence More prevalent in adults.
“Visually impaired” age 6 to 17: 0.05 percent of population.
“Visually impaired” includes blind and low vision.
One of the least prevalent of disabilities in children
“Visual impairment” in children under age 18: 12.2 per 1000.
Legally or totally blind under age 18: .06 per 1000.

5. Etiology
Eye disorders like retinal degeneration, albinism, cataracts, glaucoma, muscular problems that result in visual disturbances, corneal disorders, diabetic retinopathy, congenital disorders, and infection can lead to visual impairment.
Retinitis pigmentosa is a “hereditary condition resulting in degeneration of the retina: causes a narrowing of the field of vision and affects night vision” (Hallahan, Kauffman & Pullman, 2009, pg. 387).
Retinits pigmentosa can lead to tunnel vision or a narrow field of vision or night blindness or the “inability to see in low light” (Hallahan, Kauffman & Pullman, 2009, pg. 387).
Excessive amounts of oxygen to an infant’s brain can cause Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) which results in an abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye.
Nystagmus is a sign of a brain in trouble or inner ear problems which results in rapid involuntary movements of the eye which can make the person becoming dizzy or nauseous.

6. Different kinds of vision impairment
Glaucoma (mostly in older adults) results from a group of eye diseases to the optic nerve.
Cataracts (mostly in adults) is clouding of the lens of the eye
Diabetic retinopathy (adults) problems with the blood supply to the retina
Everyone
Myopia(nearsightedness) results from eyeball being too long
Hyperopia (Farsightedness) results when eyeball is too short
Astigmatism (Blurred vision) results from irregular cornea or lens.
Mostly Children
Cortical visual impairment—damage to parts of brain responsible for vision” Leading cause of visual impairment in the Western world” (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullman, 2009, pg. 387)
Strabisumus (Crossed eyed) results when eyes are directed outward or inward
Excessive amounts of oxygen to an infant’s brain can cause Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) which results in an abnormal growth of blood vessels in the eye.

7. Characteristics of Blind and Low Vision people
Stereotypic behaviors to stabilize arousal which include repetitive behaviors like “rocking, poking or rubbing the eyes, repetitive hand or finger movements and grimacing” (Hallahan, Kauffman & Pullman, 2009, pg. 393).
Usually carries a cane, or has a guide dog
Might be awkward in social situations because does not know social cues. Social cues need to be taught.
Everyone is different because it depends on age of onset, type of visual impairment, severity and prior functioning of adult.

8. Its affects on development
Motor delays such as sitting up, crawling, and walking in infants are common
Intelligence is not usually affected
Conceptually lag behind their peers because they rely on touch more than any other sense but eventually recover it
The mobility of each person varies
Does not affect language development or the ability to understand or use language
Do not know social cues which causes difficulties in social adjustment
Often stigmatized by non-visually impaired

9. Assessment and Diagnosis
Identification of people that are legally blind or vision impaired is by finding the visual acuity of the individual by using the Snellen Eye Chart.
When a person is taking the test, he or she covers one eye is twenty feet away and tries to read the lowest line on the chart. There are eleven lines on the chart, the size of the letters decrease and the number of letters increase.
The last letter of the last line a patient reads
accurately is his or her visual acuity.
Assessment and diagnosis is conducted by an
optamalogist.
Bedingus, Troy. (2009). “Snellen Eye Chart.” The New York Times Company. Retrieved from.

10. Treatments/Therapies
The earlier the treatment, the better.
White Cane
Seeing eye dog
Some forms of eye diseases can be helped such as Glaucoma and Cataracts
Children with cross eyes wear special types of glasses or an eye patch to correct their vision

11. Against All Odds

12. Accommodations Large print books Magnifying devices Test in Braille
Extra time to take test because it takes longer to read Braille

13. Modifications Use of Braille Books on tape Talking computers
Speech recognition software
Computerized magnification devices

14. Braille
Louis Braille, in France, introduced Braille because he was blind. His system included reading and writing.
Braille is made up of quadrangular cells consisting of one to six dots.
Braille is read by using both hands
If Braille is used it is recorded in the IEP
Not everyone uses Braille
Braille can be expensive, heavy and hard to find
Books can be made but it takes a while
Braille has been replaced by many electronic
helpers.
Feel the pages of the Braille Book I brought
“Go Dog, Go” By Dr. Seuss

15. Transition into Adulthood
Blind can lead independent lives
Stress the need of teaching independent living skills and transitioning skills
Most blind are unemployed or overqualified for job that they are working
Job modifications
Job modifications include: “car pools, better lighting, tinted office windows to filter light, prompt snow removal, regularly scheduled fire drills to ensure spatial orientation, hallways that are free of obstacles, computer software and reading machines that convert print into braille” (Hallahan, Kauffman & Pullman, 2009, pg. 415)

16. New Advances to help the Blind

17. References
Anonymous. (2009). “Strabismus - Treatment Overview. “ WebMD. Retrieved from
Bedingus, Troy. (2009). “Snellen Eye Chart.” The New York Times Company. Retrieved from.
Blindness/Visual Impairment. (January 2004). National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. Retrieved from
CBS. (Producer). (2007). Blind learn to see with tongue. Available from
Hallahan,D., Kauffman, J. and Pullen, P. (2009) Exceptional Learners: An Introduction to Special Education (11th ed.)Boston: Pearson.
N5N. (Producer). (2006). Blind student uses innovative learning methods. Available from
Products for Independent Living. (2009). MaxiAids. Retrieved from
SunSentinel. (Producer). (2007). Blind elementary school teacher in Florida. Available from
Youtube. (Producer). (2007). What’s it like to be visually impaired? Available from

18. Assessment Watch a movie about the legally blind teacher in FL.
What accommodations or modifications were made in order for the legally blind woman to teach? How do you think the students and administration view that teacher?