FAUCLTY OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF FOUNDATIONS

PROGRAM : BACHELOR OF SCIENCE WITH EDUCATION

COURSE : SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION (EDB 3102)

GROUP 3

NAME REG NUMBER

ASINGWIRE CLOVIS 2020/A/KSE/1799/G/F

SADATI MUSAFIRI 2020/A/KSE/0073/G/F

MUSOKE RONALD 2020/A/KEB/002 7/G/F

ARINDA RICHARD 2020/A/KSE/0075/G/F

ATUKUNDA DAPHINE 2020/A/KSE/1136/F

BYARUGABA RONALD 2020/A/KSE/1795/G/F

KIIZA POEL 2020/A/KSE/0074/G/F

MUHINDO FORTUNATE BRENDA 2020/A/KEP/2552/F

MUHANGI ELIAN 2020/A/KSE/0076/G/F

BYIRINGIRO JOSHUA 2020/A/KEB/0339/F

QUESTION.
3. Visual impairment

Definition

Causes of visual impairment

Characteristics of students with visual impairment

Categories and elements of visual impairments

Educational services/interventions to students with visually impaired students

SOLUTIONS

INTRODUCTION

Visual impairment is a term used to describe any condition that causes a person to experience
difficulties with their vision. It can range from mild to severe, and can be caused by a variety of factors,
including genetics, injury, disease, and aging.

Visual impairment has likely been present throughout human history, but it wasn't until the 19th
century that it began to be studied and understood in a more systematic way. The pioneering work of
Louis Braille, who developed the raised-dot system of reading and writing for blind individuals in the
1820s, was a significant breakthrough in the history of visual impairment.

Over the years, many researchers and advocates have contributed to our understanding of visual
impairment and have worked to improve the lives of those affected by it. Today, there are many
resources available to help people with visual impairments live independently, including assistive
technologies, adaptive devices, and specialized training programs.

Definition of visual impairement

Visual impairment is a broad term used to describe any condition that causes partial or complete loss of
vision or a decrease in visual function. It refers to a range of visual conditions, including blindness, low
vision, color blindness, and other visual disorders that cannot be corrected through traditional means,
such as eyeglasses or contact lenses. Visual impairment can affect people of all ages and can be caused
by a variety of factors, including genetic conditions, injuries, infections, or age-related changes. The
severity and type of visual impairment can vary widely, from mild vision loss to complete blindness.

The International Classification of Diseases 11 (2018) classifies vision impairment into two groups,
distance and near presenting vision impairment.
Distance vision impairment:

 Mild – visual acuity worse than 6/12 to 6/18

 Moderate – visual acuity worse than 6/18 to 6/60

 Severe – visual acuity worse than 6/60 to 3/60

 Blindness – visual acuity worse than 3/60

Near vision impairment:

 Near visual acuity worse than N6 or M.08 at 40cm.

A person’s experience of vision impairment varies depending upon many different factors. This includes
for example, the availability of prevention and treatment interventions, access to vision rehabilitation
(including assistive products such as spectacles or white canes), and whether the person experiences
problems with inaccessible buildings, transport and information.

Causes of Visual Impairment

Visual impairment is a condition that affects a person's ability to see or process visual information. There
are various causes of visual impairment namely;

 Medications: Some medications can cause visual impairment as a side effect, including certain
antibiotics and antipsychotics.

 Vitamin deficiencies: Certain vitamin deficiencies, such as vitamin A deficiency, can cause visual
impairment.

 Infections: Certain infections, such as herpes simplex virus, can affect the eye and cause vision
loss.

 Environmental factors: Exposure to certain environmental factors, such as excessive UV light or

toxins, can damage the eyes and cause vision loss.

 Age-related changes: As we age, our eyes undergo natural changes that can affect our vision,
such as presbyopia (difficulty seeing close objects) and reduced color perception

 Autoimmune disorders: Some autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis,
can affect the eyes and cause visual impairment.

 High blood pressure: High blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels in the eye,
which can lead to visual impairment.
 Refractive errors: Refractive errors are the most common cause of visual impairment, and
include nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and astigmatism. These
conditions occur when the shape of the eye or the cornea prevents light from focusing properly
on the retina.

 Cataracts: Cataracts are a clouding of the lens in the eye, which can cause vision loss. They are
usually age-related but can also be caused by injury or disease.

 Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and can cause
vision loss or blindness. It is often associated with increased pressure inside the eye.

 Age-related macular degeneration: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive

eye disease that affects the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision. It is more
common in older adults and can cause vision loss or blindness.

 Macular degeneration: Macular degeneration is a condition that affects the macula, the central
part of the retina. It can cause a loss of central vision and make it difficult to see fine details.

 Retinal detachment: Retinal detachment occurs when the retina becomes separated from the
underlying tissue. It can cause a sudden loss of vision and may require emergency surgery.

 Diabetic retinopathy: Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that can damage the
blood vessels in the retina. It can cause vision loss and blindness if left untreated.

 Amblyopia: Amblyopia, also known as lazy eye, is a condition where one eye has weaker vision
than the other. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including strabismus (eye misalignment)
and refractive errors.

 Optic neuritis: Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, which can cause vision loss,
eye pain, and other symptoms. It is often associated with multiple sclerosis.

 Trauma: Trauma to the eye or head can cause visual impairment, including injuries such as
retinal detachment, corneal abrasions, and concussions.

 Tumors: Tumors that affect the eye or optic nerve can cause visual impairment.

 Stroke: A stroke can cause vision loss or other visual disturbances, particularly if it affects the
occipital lobe of the brain.

 Congenital conditions: Some visual impairments are present at birth and are caused by genetic
or developmental factors, such as congenital cataracts or retinopathy of prematurity.

 Allergies: Some allergies, such as allergic conjunctivitis, can cause temporary visual impairment.

Characteristics of students with visual Impairment Characteristics

 Difficulty with identifying visual details: Students with visual impairment may struggle to
identify visual details, such as the facial expressions of others, colors, or the features of an
object.

 Tendency to sit closer to the front of the classroom: To see the board or other visual aids,
students with visual impairment may need to sit closer to the front of the classroom.

 Tendency to ask more questions: To clarify visual information, students with visual impairment
may need to ask more questions than their peers.

 Difficulty with reading and writing: Depending on the severity of their visual impairment,
students may struggle with reading and writing.

 Struggle with non-verbal communication: Because non-verbal cues rely heavily on visual cues,
students with visual impairment may struggle with non-verbal communication.

 Tendency to use other senses more: Due to their visual impairment, many students rely on
other senses, such as touch, sound, or smell, to gather information about their environment.

 Need for specialized materials and equipment: Students with visual impairment may require
specialized materials and equipment, such as Braille books or screen reading software, to access
information.

 Difficulty with visual memory: Students with visual impairment may struggle with visual
memory, which can make it challenging to remember visual information from one day to the
next.

 Difficulty with socialization: Students with visual impairment may have difficulty socializing with
their peers, as they may struggle to read non-verbal cues or see what others are doing.

 Need for additional time to complete assignments: Depending on the nature of the
assignment, students with visual impairment may need additional time to complete their work.

 Tendency to use assistive technology: Many students with visual impairment use assistive
technology, such as screen readers or Braille displays, to access information.

 Need for clear and concise verbal instructions: Students with visual impairment may rely on
verbal instructions, so it's important for instructions to be clear and concise.

 Tendency to prefer structured environments: Because of their visual impairment, many

students prefer structured environments that are easy to navigate.

 Difficulty with mobility: Depending on the nature of their visual impairment, students may have
difficulty with mobility, which can impact their ability to move around and navigate their
environment.
 Need for frequent breaks: Depending on the severity of their visual impairment, students may
need frequent breaks to rest their eyes or to refocus their attention.

 Limited peripheral vision: Many students with visual impairment have limited peripheral vision,
which can impact their ability to navigate environments or identify objects that are not directly
in front of them.

 Difficulty with depth perception: Students with visual impairment may have difficulty with
depth perception, which can make it challenging to judge distances or perceive spatial
relationships between objects.

 Need for consistent lighting: Consistent lighting is important for students with visual
impairment, as changes in lighting can impact their ability to see.

 Difficulty with visual sequencing: Many students with visual impairment have difficulty with
visual sequencing, or the ability to perceive and remember the order of visual information.

 Tendency to be more tactile: Students with visual impairment often have a greater appreciation
for tactile experiences, such as touch and texture.

Categories of Visual Impairment

 Visual impairment is a broad term that encompasses a range of conditions that affect a person's
ability to see. The categories and elements of visual impairment can vary, but here are some
general categories and elements:

 Partially Sighted (Low Vision): People with partial sight or low vision have some sight but may
need magnification or other aids to see clearly. They may have difficulty reading small print or
seeing details.

 Blindness: People who are blind have little or no sight. They may still be able to see some light
and darkness or sense changes in light.

 Total blindness: People who are totally blind have no light perception and can only perceive
light and dark.

 Colour Blindness: People with colour blindness have difficulty distinguishing between certain
colours. For example, they may not be able to tell the difference between red and green.

 Night blindness: People with night blindness have difficulty seeing in low light conditions. They
may have trouble driving at night or walking in dimly lit areas.

 Tunnel vision: People with tunnel vision have limited peripheral vision and see only what is
directly in front of them.
 Elements of visual impairments

 Visual acuity: This refers to the clarity or sharpness of vision. People with visual impairment may
have reduced visual acuity, making it difficult to see fine details.

 Visual field: This refers to the area of vision that a person can see. People with visual
impairment may have a restricted or narrowed visual field.

 Contrast sensitivity: This refers to the ability to distinguish between different shades of light and
dark. People with visual impairment may have reduced contrast sensitivity, making it difficult to
see objects against a background.

 Depth perception: This refers to the ability to judge the distance between objects. People with
visual impairment may have difficulty with depth perception, which can affect their ability to
navigate their environment safely.

 Eye movements: People with visual impairment may have difficulty controlling their eye
movements, which can affect their ability to focus on objects or follow moving objects.

Educational interventions to students with visual Impairments

 Braille literacy instruction: This involves teaching students with visual impairments how to read
and write in Braille. It can be done through one-on-one instruction or group classes.

 Auditory training: This is a program that helps students with visual impairments develop their
listening skills, including discriminating between sounds, recognizing patterns, and identifying
direction and location.

 Orientation and mobility training: This teaches students with visual impairments how to
navigate their environment independently. They learn to use a white cane or a guide dog to help
them get around, as well as how navigate public transportation.

 Adapted physical education: This is a physical education program that is modified to meet the
needs of students with visual impairments. It may include modified sports, exercise programs,
and other physical activities.

 Speech therapy: Some students with visual impairments may also have difficulty with speech,
and may require speech therapy to help them develop their language skills.

 Career counseling: Students with visual impairments may require specialized career counseling
to help them identify and pursue career opportunities that are accessible to them.
 Accessible computer technology: This involves providing students with visual impairments
access to specialized computer software and hardware, such as screen readers and Braille
displays.

 Reading and writing instruction: This may involve using adaptive materials, such as Braille or
large print books, to help students with visual impairments learn to read and write.

 Multisensory instruction: This involves using multiple senses, such as touch and hearing, to help
students with visual impairments learn and retain information.

 Vision rehabilitation therapy: This is a program that helps students with visual impairments
learn to use their remaining vision more effectively.

 Adaptive physical therapy: This is a physical therapy program that is modified to meet the
needs of students with visual impairments.

 Counseling services: Students with visual impairments may require counseling services to help
them cope with the emotional and social challenges that can come with a visual impairment.

 Parent education and support: Parents of students with visual impairments may require
education and support to help them understand their child’s needs and advocate for their
child’s education and development.

 Assistive technology: There are many types of assistive technology that can help students with
visual impairments learn and access information, including screen readers, magnification
devices, and Braille displays.

 Accessible materials: This involves providing materials in a format that is accessible to students
with visual impairments, such as Braille, large print, or audio books.

 Social skills training: This teaches students with visual impairments how to interact with their
peers and build positive relationships. It may include role-playing exercises, group discussions,
and other activities.

 Specialized instruction in math and science: Students with visual impairments may require
specialized instruction in these subjects, including the use of tactile models, Braille, and other
adaptive materials.

 Self-advocacy training: This helps students with visual impairments learn how to advocate for
themselves and communicate their needs to others.

 Sensory integration therapy: This involves using sensory experiences to help students with
visual impairments learn to process and interpret sensory information.

 Braille music instruction: This teaches students with visual impairments how to read and write
music in Braille. It may involve the use of special software or other adaptive materials.
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Turnbull, A. P., Turnbull, H. R., Shank, M., & Smith, S. J (2015). Exceptional lives: Special education in
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