Resources+to+assist+students+with+vision+impairments


 * Resources to use to assist with teaching children with visual impairments:**

A vision impairment in educational terms is a diagnosed condition on the eye or visual system that impacts on access to learning. The vision impairment can be:
 * present at birth
 * be a result of an injury or accident
 * be part of a medical condition or syndrome


 * http://www.visualaidsforlearning.com/pdf/VisualAids_EarlyChildhood_Songs_16_Images_Per_Page.pdf**

I found the above website very beneficial for teaching as it outlined educational ideas that would ensure that children with a vision impairment are active participants in the educational setting. This resource focuses on the younger years of a child’s educational experience and allows understanding of perceptions to be developed such as hearing, imagination and understanding of what can be seen by their typically developing peers.

To ensure that we as teachers can appropriately and effectively teach students with a visual impairment it is necessary that we be informed about the student’s abilities, the effect on learning as well as, integration into the general classroom environment. It is important that we as teachers utilize support services such as vision specialists. These services will ensure that we as teachers access useful resources that will ensure that students with a disability will receive the appropriate and specialized educational experience same or similar to that of their typically developing peers, these include:
 * Learning through other senses
 * Instructional and curricular adaptations
 * Appropriate resources and materials

After reading and analyzing the website I found many useful links that supported the idea of visual assistance and songs to teach all aspects of a typically developed child’s life to that of a child with a vision impairment. It became clear to me we under estimate the ability of children to utilize the concept of advocacy. I highly recommend that teachers take the time to explore and study these resources as they where designed to streamline and support learning, by empowering students to participate and achieve independence. They can be utilized to ensure that children with visual impairments learn everyday activities that come naturally to there typically developing peers, these include:
 * Emotions
 * Food
 * School
 * Behavior
 * Toilet training

Resources: [] [|**http://www.visualaidsforlearning.com/pdf/VisualAids_EarlyChildhood_Songs_16_Images_Per_Page.pdf**] http://education.qld.gov.au/studentservices/learning/disability/generalinfo/vision/vi2.html


 * Assisting a Child with a Vision Impairment in the Classroom **

by U3046837

Sight is an important tool for learning in children. For children with a vision impairment, their sight is limited, and adjustments need to be made to cater for their needs. Simple strategies can be put into place when working with children who are visually impaired that involve adjusting the learning environment and modifying learning activities.

I found the following link an excellent source giving a brief outline of strategies that can be used to enhance the learning environment for a child with a visual impairment. The site discusses important factors such as lighting, contrast, working distance, familiarly, time, low-vision aids, the environment and peer support.

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 * Vision Australia - Assisting a Child who is Vision Impaired in the Pre-school or Classroom**

Vision Australia are able to provide further support for teachers in providing appropriate environments for children who are visually impaired. The contact information for Vision Australia is listed on the page.

Resource: Vision Australia. 2007. //Assisting a Child who is Vision Impaired in the Preschool or Classroom.// http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1479 (Accessed 28 July 2011)