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Special Education: Contemporary Perspectives for School Professionals, 4th ed, Marilyn FriendISBN 0132836742 © 2014, 2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.0

Special Education:Contemporary Perspectives for School ProfessionalsFourth Edition

By

Marilyn Friend

Kerri Martin,Contributor

Special Education: Contemporary Perspectives for School Professionals, 4th ed., Marilyn Friend

ISBN 0132836742 © 2014, 2011, 2008, 2005 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.1

Students with Visual Impairments

Chapter 12



Objectives

• Outline key events in the history of educating students with visual impairments, define terms and describe the causes and prevalence of visual impairments

• Describe characteristics of students with visual impairments

• Explain the unique aspects of assessment and the identification process for students with visual impairments

• Explain how students with visual impairments receive their education

• Describe best practices for educating students with visual impairments

• Explain concerns sometimes faced by parents and families of students with visual impairments

• Identify significant issues in educating students with visual impairments

Development of the Visual Impairment Field

Book title, #Special Education: Contemporary Perspectives for School Professionals, 4th ed., Marilyn Friend


Time Period Person or Group Event

Late 1700s France First residential schools

1800s Louis Braille Invents tactile reading system; widely accepted after his death

Early 1900s U.S. Residential schools in nearlyevery state

1900 Chicago Public school classes; sight-saving emphasis

1950s Hospitals Incubators for premature babies leads to Retrolental fibroplasia (RLF)

1960s Schools Most students now in public schools

1964-65 Population Rubella epidemic; deaf-blind

Definitions of Visual Impairment

Visual impairment – any vision loss Low vision - difficulty accomplishing

visual tasks but can use compensatory strategies or technological modifications

Blindness – no vision or only light perception

Vision loss can be congenital or adventitious

Book titleSpecial Education: Contemporary Perspectives for School Professionals, 4th ed., Marilyn Friend


IDEA Definition of Visual Impairment

“Visual impairment including blindness means an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness.” (IDEA 20 U.S.C. §1401 [2004], 20

C.F.R. §300.8[c][13])



Legal Blindness

Central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with corrective lenses

-or-

Central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if the visual field is less than 20 degrees in each eye

20/200 – person cannot identify the largest letter on a standard eye chart



Prevalence

Low-incidence disability

No single database of students with visual impairments

Students with visual impairments and other disabilities may be reported in another disability category for IDEA purposes



Structure of the Eye



Optic Nerve

Vitreous Humor

Sclera

Retina

Iris

Pupil

Lens

Aqueous Humor

Cornea

Ciliary Body

Choroid

Causes of Visual Impairment

Structural problem

Functional problem

Damage to the eye due to illness

Damage due to injury



Examples of Visual Impairments

Strabismus

Aniridia

Cataract

Amblyopia

Glaucoma

Cortical visual impairment



Cognitive and Academic Characteristics

Limits on range and variety of experiences (and incidental learning)

Restricted mobility

Limited interaction with and control of one’s environment

Affects all developmental skills

Full range of cognitive abilities

Reading and writing obviously affected



Braille Literacy Skills

Cells of raised dots to represent letters, contractions, and short-form words

Read by moving fingers over the lines of braille cells from left to right

Braille reading rates are slower than print reading

Different types of braille for different purposes and levels

Alphabetic braille Literary braille Nemeth code



Print Literacy Skills

Large print

Optical low-vision devices

Braille

Books on tape/CD

Computer with speech synthesis

Closed-circuit television (CCTV)

Kurzweil reader

Access technologies



Social and Emotional Characteristics

Social behavior is usually learned through observation and imitation

May need direct, systematic instruction in social skills

May be socially immature, more isolated, and less assertive than others

May demonstrate stereotypic behaviors



Assessment



Ophthalmologist (physician) and optometrist

Functional vision assessment – student’s efficiency in using vision

Learning media assessment – student’s approach to using sensory information for learning

Clinical low vision evaluation – determines whether student could benefit from optical devices, nonoptical devices, or adaptations

Early Childhood Education

Home-based programs for infants/toddlers

Help family learn to work with child

Provide resources for parents

Center-based preschool programs for children at age 3

Focuses on teaching developmental skills



Elementary and Secondary School Services

Consultant model

Itinerant teacher model

Resource model

Special classes and schools



Inclusive Practices

Appropriate for many, but not all, students

Specific, planned intervention from vision impairment specialist is critical

Adaptations and accommodations will be needed



Transition and Adulthood

Transition practices must begin early

Coordinated transition planning is essential

High graduation rate, but a high level of unemployment

Career education and work-experience are very important to later success



Recommended Educational Practices

Expanded core curriculum Compensatory skills

Social interaction skills

Career education skills

Principles of Special Methods

Need for concrete experiences

Need for unifying experiences

Need for learning by doing



Parent and Family Perspectives

Concerns and situations that cause stress Providing for their child’s needs

The future, finances, siblings, social issues

Impact of disability on family over time

Happier, stronger family relations

More worry, more compassionate

Changing attitude towards others with visual impairments

Strategies and supports that assisted

Actively helping, reading information, praying

Discussing with professionals, recreation/leisure



Trends and Issues

Shortage of qualified personnel

Limited continuum of educational placement options



Documents

Special Education - Weeblyleonmmelissateacherportfolio.weebly.com/uploads/5/0/5/7/5057794… · Special Education: Contemporary Perspectives for School Professionals, 4thed., Marilyn