1. Low vision devices,
Education materials and Plus
curriculum for
visually impaired children
Nusrat Zerin
2016

2. Low vision devices:
Tools that help those with vision loss
maximize their remaining vision and these
devices are:
1. Optical
2. Non Optical
3. Electronic devices

3. Check that each person has been examined to see
if spectacles are needed to correct /improve vision
before recommending low vision devices.
Before selecting a low vision device consider:
• size of objects to be viewed
• possible viewing distance from the object
• length of time needed for activity
• Whether one / both hands are needed for
activity

4. Optical devices are –
1. Near: These are designed for magnifying close
objects & print.
• Spectacles
• Magnifiers – Hand held & Stand magnifiers,
illuminated magnifiers
2. Distance: These are for magnifying things in the
distance (from 3 metres to far away).
• Monocular
• Binocular
• Telescope
3. Electronic devices:
• CCTV or video magnifier

5. Optical devices are –
1. Near: These are designed for magnifying close objects & print.
• Spectacles
• Magnifiers – Hand held & Stand magnifiers, illuminated
magnifiers (Dome, Bar, Sheet magnifiers)
2. Distance: These are for magnifying things in the distance (from 3
metres to far away).
• Monocular
• Binocular
• Telescope
3. Electronic devices

6. Optical devices for near tasks
Magnifiers for near tasks can be used for:
• reading a book or a newspaper
• reading labels, signs or prices in shops
• using tools, for example measuring
• threading a needle
• identifying money
• inspecting objects such as plants or insects
For reading, the magnifier has to be moved along each line of
print, sometimes only showing a word or part of a word at a
time. More words will be seen if the eye is held close to the
magnifier. Reading is very slow at first. It is difficult to learn to
use the magnifier properly - a lot of practice is needed.

7. 1. Uses:
 for reading any material
 writing
 looking at objects from close range
2. Advantages:
 range of magnification
 both hands free
 readily available- e.g."cataract" glasses can be used as reading
glasses
 once used efficiently, can be used for long periods
3. Disadvantages:
 exact reading distance important
 Short reading distance with high powered lenses
 more fragile than magnifiers (scratching, breaking)
 Bad lighting at close distance stress eye
 Without reading stand to bring material close to eye is difficult

8. Hand Magnifiers
1. Uses:
# reading signs, labels, prices, books
# identifying money
# inspecting objects such as plants or insects
# handwriting
2. Advantages:
# easy to carry
# available from low to high power
# Less expensive
# can be used in any position or angle
# Illuminated magnifiers allows light
onto print or objects
3. Disadvantages:
# difficult to keep appropriate distance
# one hand occupied
# difficult to hold steady

9. Stand Magnifiers
A stand magnifier is a strong lens which is mounted in a plastic stand. A
stand magnifier is usually easier than a hand held magnifier for a child to
use.
1. Uses
• Reading from a book or newspaper
• Looking at a picture or diagram
2. Advantages
• Has a fixed distance for ease of movement
• Easy to use
• Available from low to high power magnification
• Allows light onto print if legs thin and tapered or clear
3. Disadvantages
• Keeps one hand occupied
• Not useful for activities like writing
• Poor posture (bending above lens)
• Causes fatigue

10. Optical devices for Distance task
Magnifiers for distance are like small telescopes. They improve the ability
to see distant objects or people.
Objects appear to be closer and it is hard to judge distances properly. It is
best not to use telescopes while walking around.
Telescopes
Telescopes can be used for looking at distant objects and activities such
as:
 signs
 finding and recognizing people/animals
 Reading in school from blackboard
 finding an entrance to a building
 watching games.

11. 1. Uses
• Reading from a blackboard from a distance >2 /3m
• Looking at objects you cannot get close to, e.g. top of a tree, animals
2. Advantages
• Makes distant objects appear closer
• Can be used in a classroom for blackboard reading or outdoors
3. Disadvantages
 Requires very good contrast
 Takes time to:
 Find text on blackboard and read
 Write notes down, possibly using other low vision device
 Expensive to make
 Not easy to use, requires extensive training

12. Training to use optical devices
• Encouragement and training are needed for people to use low vision
devices well.
• The field of view or amount through magnifier or telescope is small. It
takes practice to be able to find objects and then follow them or scan
to find other objects.
• For distance tasks it is best to look in the general direction of an object
without the device and then point or place the device in that direction
to locate objects.
• It is easier to scan along horizontal objects such as roads or fences and
up and down vertical objects such as trees or walls.
• Do not just give out magnifying glasses, if there is no one to train the
person in its use. A person will often reject the device, because they
do not know how to see better with it.
Training in the use of all magnifying devices is vital

13. Non Optical devices:
• Reading stand
• Felt tipped pen, markers
• Sun glasses/filter glasses
• Caps/Sun visors
• Table lamps

14. Education materials
• Total blind:
- Braille and stylus
- Electronic Braille note taker
- Brailler/Braillewriters
- Braille Printers
- For math
(Taylor board, abacus, Geometry set)

15. For low vision:
- Typo scope/Reading guide
- Writing guide
- Reading stand
- Signature guide
- Portable type electronic
typoscope

16. For mobility
• White cane
• Sighted guide technique
• Independent movement technique
• Guide dog

17. Plus curriculum
• Orientation and mobility
• Sensory training (touch, smell, hear, taste)
• Assistive technology- Computer technology
(screen reader software, magnification
software, JAWS, dolphin, NVDIA etc.)