Visual Impairment
including
Blindness
WMSU
ANASTACIO, KEANA RIZED
BAYAWA, HYDIA
PAGLINAWAN, RHEIN
TORRECIBA, NIÑO
BSED 2B
1
VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
• Visual impairment including blindness
means an impairment in vision that,
even with correction, adversely affects
a child’s educational performance. The
term includes both partial sight and
blindness.
2
TYPES OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT:
1. REFRACTIVE ERRORS:
This includes conditions like nearsightedness
(myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and
astigmatism, where the shape of the eye affects
how light is focused, resulting in blurred vision.
2. LOW VISION:
Individuals with low vision have significant visual
impairments that cannot be fully corrected with
glasses, contacts, or surgery. They may have
difficulty with tasks like reading, recognizing
faces, or navigating their environment.
3. Blindness:
Blindness refers to partial or complete loss of
vision. Partial blindness (legal blindness)
means having very poor vision or a limited
field of vision, while total blindness means no
light perception at all. Blind individuals often
rely on alternative techniques like braille,
auditory cues, or assistive technology for
daily activities.
Film Viewing
CAUSES OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS
• Injury to the eyes
• Inherited conditions of blindness and
vision impairment
• Infections of the eyes
• Cataract
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Glaucoma
• Cancer of the Eyes
Injury to the eyes
• Injury to the eyes while playing or at work
or due to accidents may result in vision
loss and impairment.
• Particularly injuries to the cornea are the
commonest cause of vision loss. Damage
to the cornea is the most frequent cause
of vision loss because it plays a crucial role
in focusing light onto the retina, which is
essential for clear vision.
Inherited conditions of blindness
and vision impairment
• Inherited conditions of blindness and
vision impairment refer to genetic
disorders passed down from parents to
their children that affect vision. Among
these conditions, retinitis pigmentosa
stands out as the most prevalent cause of
inherited blindness.
Infections of the eyes
• Sometimes if the mother has had a viral
infection like German measles that is
transmitted from the mother to the
developing fetus during pregnancy the
baby may be born with blindness or visual
impairment.
Cataract
• Cataracts refer to the clouding of part or the
entire lens of the eye. The lens, which is
typically clear, allows light to pass through and
focus on the retina, enabling clear vision.
• This loss of vision can range from mild to
severe, depending on the extent of the
cataracts. Cataracts commonly develop with
age but can also be caused by factors like
genetics, injury, or certain medical conditions.
Diabetic retinopathy
• Diabetes affects the small blood vessels in the
retina.
Glaucoma
• Glaucoma occurs when there is elevated
pressure within the eyes, which can damage
the optic nerve—the nerve responsible for
transmitting visual information to the brain.
• This increased pressure can result from
various factors, including a buildup of fluid
within the eye or a blockage in the drainage
channels. Over time, the damage to the optic
nerve can lead to gradual vision loss, starting
with peripheral vision and eventually affecting
central vision
Cancer of the Eyes
• Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer that
primarily affects the retina, the light-sensitive
tissue lining the back of the eye. It’s the most
common eye cancer diagnosed in children.
Retinoblastoma typically develops in early
childhood, usually before the age of five. The
cancer originates from genetic mutations that
cause uncontrolled growth of cells in the
retina.
CHARACTERISTICS OF VISUAL
IMPAIRMENT:
Struggle with glare or reduced lighting.
Difficulty in learning visual concepts.
Limitation in range and variety of
experiences.
Limitation of mobility.
Limitation in environment interactions.
Some Educational
Interventions and
Accommodations for
students with Visual
Impairments based on
IDEA:
1. Braille Instruction:
IDEA mandates that schools provide
instruction in Braille for students with visual
impairments who require it.
2. Assistive Technology:
Schools should provide assistive
technology devices and software to help
visually impaired students access
educational materials.
Assistive Technologies
Screen Reader
• Software programs that
read text displayed on a
computer screen with a
speech synthesizer or
braille display.
• Common
screen
readers include JAWS
(Job
Access
With
Speech),
NVDA
(NonVisual
Desktop
Access)
Assistive Technologies
Magnification Software
• Programs that enlarge
text and graphics on
computer
screens,
making them easier to
see for individuals with
low vision. Examples
include ZoomText and
MAGic.
Assistive Technologies
• Braille Displays:
Hardware devices
that convert text
from computer
screens into braille
characters using
rows of small pins
that rise and fall to
represent braille
letters.
• Braille Embossers:
Printers that create
tactile braille output
on paper, rather than
using ink, to allow
blind users to read
printed materials.
3. Accessible Materials:
IDEA requires schools to provide
educational materials in accessible
formats for students with visual
impairments.
4. Orientation and Mobility Training:
IDEA supports the provision of orientation
and mobility (O&M) training for students
with visual impairments to help them
navigate their environment safely and
independently.
5. Adapted Physical Education:
Schools need to provide adapted physical
education (APE) for students with disabilities,
including those with visual impairments.
6. Specialized Instruction and Support
Services:
IDEA emphasizes the importance of providing
specialized instruction and support services to
address the unique learning needs of students
with visual impairments.
7. Collaboration and Teamwork:
IDEA encourages collaboration among
educators, parents, and other
professionals to support students with
visual impairments. This collaborative
approach ensures that educational
interventions are coordinated and
comprehensive, addressing the academic,
social, and emotional needs of the
student.
“MARAMING
SALAMAT “
WMSU
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