Visual impairment is defined as a functional loss of vision rather than an eye disorder itself. There are four types: partially sighted, low vision, legally blind, and totally blind. Low vision refers to severe visual impairment that affects both distance and near vision, requiring accommodations like large print or Braille. Legally blind means having 20/200 vision or less in the better eye with a limited field of view. Signs of visual impairment include sitting too close to screens, squinting, and rubbing eyes. Academic performance can suffer in areas relying on visuals like reading, diagrams, and maps. Assistive strategies include Braille materials, notes, seating near the front, verbal cues, peer assistance, and assistive

2. Definition
Visual Impairement is defined as ‘’the consequence of
a functional loss of vision rather than the eye disorder
itself.’’
There are four types of visual impairments. They are:
1. Partially sighted
2. Low Vision
3. Legally Blind
4. Totally Blind

3. Partially Sighted
There is some type of visual problem that has
resulted for the child to need special education

4. Low Vision
Refers to severe visual impairment (does not only
include distance vision)
Would apply to people who are unable to read at a
normal viewing distance even with glasses
Use vision and other senses to learn
May need accommodations such as larger print, more
lighting and sometimes Braille

5. Legally Blind and Totally Blind
When a person has less than 20/200 vision in their
better eye
Very limited field of vision. Only 20 degrees at the
widest point
Learn by using Braille and other non-visual media

7. Signs of Visual Impairment
consistently sitting too close to the TV
holding a book too close
squinting
tilting the head to see better
frequent eye rubbing when your child is not
sleepy
sensitivity to light
excessive tearing
closing one eye to read

9. Problem Areas
Children learn most things by visual cues, so if the child is
unable to see those cues some areas are going to be difficult
Academic Performance may suffer a bit, particularly in
reading and writing
In math and science many diagrams and pictures are
needed to solve problems that the students will now have
to imagine.
In math it will be difficult for the student to understand
every step of the problem since they cannot see it
In social studies it may be difficult for the students to
visualize where things are on maps and how things looked
in the past since they cannot see the pictures. This may
make the lesson more difficult to understand

10. Assistance
Some ways to assist these students in your classroom are:
Braille textbooks
Recorded notes
Sitting students in the front of the room
Using a lot of verbal cues
Pairing the student with another student who has
good vision and they can ask questions from
throughout the lesson
Assistive technology

12. Results from Visual Impairments
Socially immature
Isolated
Less assertive with their peers than other kids their age
without vision problems
Because of the difficulties these children face they may
develop a low self esteem

13. Strategies
Have your classroom arranged in groups so the student
will always be able to ask a classmate for further
assistance if there is something specific they need
described
Meet with the student once a week to discuss how they
are doing, if they need any extra help and if they have
ideas if there is anything else you can do in the
classroom that would help them to learn better

14. Assistive Technology
Braille translation software and equipment: converts print into braille and braille into
print.
Braille printer: connects to a computer and embosses braille on paper.
Screen reader: converts text on a computer screen to audible speech.
Screen enlargement software: increases the size of text and images on a computer screen.
Braille notetakers: lightweight electronic note-taking device that can be connected to a
printer or a braille embosser to produce a printed or brailled copy.
Optical character reader: converts printed text into files on a computer that can be
translated into audible speech or Braille with appropriate equipment and software.
Electronic braillewriter: produces braille, translates braille into text or synthetic speech.
Talking calculators: calculates with voice output.
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV): enlarges an image to a larger size and projects it on a
screen
Magnifiers: enlarges images
Telescopes: used to view distant objects