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Visual impairment

This document discusses visual impairment and defines different levels of visual impairment. It describes how visual impairment is measured using the Snellen chart and defines blindness and partial sightedness. It outlines characteristics that may indicate visual impairment in children and problems visually impaired children may face in the classroom, such as difficulty seeing the blackboard. Finally, it discusses common causes of visual impairment and instruments that can help the visually impaired, such as Braille materials, magnifiers, and long canes.

Education◦
Visual Impairment Dr. Jaganmohana Rao Gurugubelli Faculty of Education MITE, Kohima
Visual Impairment: Visually challenged children are those who have problems with vision. Some visually challenged children can read large print and are functional in their environment, whereas some have severe vision loss and cannot be taught through visual methods. Visual loss is measured with the help of the ‘Snellen Chart’ (Herman Snellen, 1862) and depending upon the degree of loss based on visual acuity and visual field. Definition: The American Foundation for the Blind (1961) defines blind individuals as: i) those whose visual acuity is 20/200 or less in the better eye with the best possible correction, or ii) those whose field of an arc of 20 degrees or less.
Partially sighted are defined as: a) those whose visual acuity is between 20/200 and 20/70 in the better eye with the best possible correction, or b) those need either temporary or permanent special education facilities. The Person with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995, of the Government of India, defines blindness as a condition where a person suffers from any of the following conditions, namely, • Total absence of sight, or • Visual acuity not exceeding 6/60 or 20/200 (Snellen chart), or • Limitation of the field of vision subtending an angle of 20 degree or worse.
Snellen Chart for Visual Acuity
Characteristics of Visually Challenged : • Blinks eyes frequently; • Holds objects, including books, close to his/her eyes; • Rubs eyes excessively; • Complains of headache following close eye work; • Asks his friends to read aloud when taking notes from the blackboard; • Becomes inattentive during reading sessions; • Watering of eyes; • Takes false steps while walking; • Unable to locate things in the surroundings; and • Sensitive to light.
PROBLEMS FACED BY THE CHILDREN WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN THE CLASSROOM Learning environment plays a vital role in effective learning. Learning Environment includes not only classroom but also laboratory, playground, library and educational tour. The above mentioned visually impaired children will face hindrances in these learning environments. The classroom hindrances faced by these children are listed below.  Letters on the blackboard are either partly visible or fully invisible.  The students find it difficult in doing science experiments in the lab and in identification of different colors.  The students with visual impairment are unable to perform on par with the other students in Drawing and Activities  Visual based subjects like geometry possess a great problem in answering the questions in the examination.  The students with visual impairment should be seated only in first bench or else they cannot be able to see the blackboard or the teachers clearly.  These students will find difficult in reading and writing in dim light and in bright light.
Students with visual impairments may : • need seating accommodations to help them see you or the whiteboard, blackboard, overhead displays, etc. • need to wear glasses, use magnifiers, or use extra lighting for class work • require large printed handout materials or audio books for reading • need voice-activated computers or other assistive technology • need someone to assist in taking notes • need extra time to get to classes or complete assigned work • need to go to the school nurse for medication or assistance with visual concerns
Causes :Major causes of visual impairment are: 1. Vitamin A deficiency 2. Congenital Cataracts caused by some abnormalities during pregnancy or inheritance. 3. Pre maturity in the administration of high concentration of oxygen in the incubator giving rise to retinopathy of prematurity , this may result total loss of sight. 4. Cataracts- usually occurring in middle old age. This condition is amendable to treatment by surgery. 5. Glaucoma-High pressure in the eye resulting in damage of retina.
INSTRUMENTS FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED • Braille slates and styles • Braille machine • Abacus • Taylor Frame • Cassette Recorder • Magnifier • Embossed Diagram • Reading Book stand • Relieve sheet • Long cane • Braille text book • Rattle ball • Magnetic Chess