Common

Disability Characteristic

Instructional or Behavioral Strategies

Academic

A) May miss instructions that involve gestures

B) Hear well, but may misinterpret the unknown

A-1) Provide hand-outs (preferably electronically) in

advance of lectures and seminars, and allow audio-
taping where possible to assist review of notes. Some
students may need handouts and tests on colored
paper to reduce glare.
A-2) Give verbal description of visual aids or writing
on whiteboard or slides, and spell aloud difficult
words or names. Talk through calculations or
procedures as they are carried out.
B-1) Peer assisted learning strategies are beneficial
for these students because they have an extra chance
to absorb information from a peer.
B-2) In lecture/discussion classes, take care over
seating arrangements and encourage people to take
turns to speak. Work with the student on strategies
to help them participate fully and find out if they wish
any other adjustments, such as people introducing
themselves before speaking.

Social/ School (skills)
A) May be isolated and appear uninterested

B) Limited friendship because of a unique need for

specialty items

A-1) Peer assisted leaning strategies help a student

interact and learn more while socializing. Student
interests in the material increases because they are
having an easier time understanding the material and
are doing it in a fun way.
A-2) When in doubt about how to assist the student,
ask him or her as privately as possible without
drawing attention to the student or the disability.
B-1) Offer colored overlays to all the students in the
class. Overlays help to filter out fluorescent lights so
the symptoms students face are reduced or
completely removed. Since not all students have the
same sensitivity level, particular colors can help
differently for each student.
B-2) Students with a visual impairment would benefit
from team building. Team building activities promote
cooperation and communication among students.
They help establish a positive classroom
environment and create a sense of community.
Students will feel safe and will be more willing to
interact with one another.


Behavior/ Organization

A) Difficulty getting around
A-1) Make field trip arrangements early and ensure
that accommodations will be in place on the given
day (e.g., transportation, site accessibility). Provide
plenty of warning so a personal assistant or adaptive
equipment can be arranged as appropriate for
laboratory work and field trips.
A-2) Keep a front row seat open for a student with a
vision impairment. A corner seat is especially
convenient for a student with a dog guide.

B) Difficulty with everyday life activities
B-1) The use of positive self-talk can be a motivator
for a visually impaired students to help with
motivation to complete everyday life activities
B-2) When appropriate, ask for a sighted volunteer to
team up with a vision-impaired student for in-class
assignments.


http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/colleges/university/disability/faculty-staff/classroom-
issues/vision/vision-strategy.htm