Vision Impairment

Definitions	Signs of Visual Problems
Incidence	Characteristics
Educational Implications	Quiz
Works Cited

Definitions

Partially sightedlow visionLegally BlindTotally Blind

A child who is partially sighted has some type of visual problem that results in a need for special education.

A severe visual impairment (that is not necessarily limited to distance vision) is low vision. If one is unable to read the newspaper at a normal viewing distance (even with the aid of glasses or contacts), one is classified as having low vision. Children with low vision use a combination of vision and other senses to learn. Lighting adjustments, print size adjustments, and braille may also help. Low vision students can often read with the help of a magnifying glass or large print text.

A person with less than 20/200 vision in the better eye or a very limited field of vision (20 degrees at the widest point) is termed legally blind.

Students who are totally blind must learn using braille or other non-visual media.

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Signs of Visual Problems

• Holding books very close to/very far from eyes
• squint
• rub eyes frequently
• complaints of burning/itching eyes
• swollen, red, or encrusted eyes
• may misread material on the chalkboard
• describe vision as blurred
• sensitive to light
• holds head at odd angle

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Incidence

Visual impairments occur in individuals under the age of 18 at a rate of 1.22%. Severe visual impairments (legally/totally blind) occur at a rate of .006%.

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The effect of visual problems on a child's development depend on four factors:

1. Severity

2. type of loss

3. age of onset of condition

4. overall functioning level of the child

Here are some possible effects:

• may miss opportunities to have experiences and to learn
• may be unable to imitate social behavior or understand nonverbal cues
• can create obstacles to a growing child's independence

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Educational Implications

Visually impaired students may need special equipment such as:

• computers
• low-vision optical and video aids
• large-print materials
• books on tape
• braille books
• large-print typewriters
• variable speed tape recorders
• special calculators
• abacus
• 3-D maps, charts, models
• special measuring devices

Visually impaired students may also need special curriculum modifications that stress topics such as:

• listening skills
• communication
• orientation and mobility
• vocation/career options
• daily living skills

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Quiz

1. What is the order of vision terms, from most sight to least sight?

a. totally blind-->legally blind-->low vision-->partially sighted

b. partially sighted-->low vision-->legally blind-->totally blind

c. totally blind-->legally blind-->low sighted-->partial vision

d. partial vision-->low sighted-->legally blind-->totally blind

2. All of the following would help a visually impaired child in school EXCEPT:

a. braille books

b. large print materials

c. 3-D maps

d. hearing aids

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1. B. The order is partially sighted then low vision, then legally blind, and the really can't see is totally blind.

2. D. Hearing aids are intended to help the hearing impaired. Braille books, large-print materials, and 3-D maps are intended to help the visually impaired.

Want to know more? Contact the:

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities

P.O. Box 1492

Washington, D.C. 20013

1-800-695-0285

Email: nichcy@aed.org

NICHCY's web page

Woolfolk, Anita E. Educational Psychology 7th Ed. Allyn and Bacon: Needham

Heights, MA, 1998.

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