1. Chapter Twelve Individuals With Visual Impairments

2. Defining Visual Impairments IDEA definition: Visual impairment that, even with correction, adversely affects an individual’s educational performance Legally blind  Corrected vision has acuity of 20/200 or less Functionally blind  Very limited vision Low vision  Minimal vision Watch this video of an eye examination.eye examination 2

3. The Eye and How it Works Light enters the eye through the cornea and then moves through the iris into the pupil. The light is converged by the lens and moves through the vitreous humor to focus on the retina where the light is changed into electrical signals that are sent along the optic nerve to the occipital lobe of the brain for interpretation as visual images. 3

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5. The Eye and How it Works Myopia (near sightedness)  Light focuses before it reaches the back of the eye Hyperopia (far sightedness)  Light has not focused when it reaches the back of the eye Astigmatism  One or more surfaces of the cornea or lens are not spherical but cylindrical 5

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7. Brief History of the Field 1700s  First school for blind youth (in Paris) 1800s  Louis Braille created a system of Braille dots for communication  Schools for the blind opened in the U.S. 1950s and 1960s  Public school classes for child with visual impairments 1970s  Vision training to maximize residual sight  IDEA requires specialized services and access to public school classrooms 7

8. Prevalence of Visual Impairments  2.8% of American school-aged children experience a vision loss significant enough to require special education  The U.S. Department of Education reports approximately 26,000 children ages 6-21 received special education services during the 2008-2009 school year  Low-incidence disability 8

9. The Vision Process and Etiology of Visual Impairments Cornea  Damage/infection limits acuity and visual field Aqueous fluid  Glaucoma limits acuity and visual field Iris  Malformation causes light sensitivity Lens  Cataracts affect vision, color, light sensitivity 9

10. The Vision Process and Etiology of Visual Impairments Vitreous body  Infection/disease blurs and distorts vision Retina  Light disruption results in blurred vision Rod cells in retina  Shape, motion, photosensitivity Cone cells in retina  Color Watch this video to learn more about the macular degeneration process macular degeneration process 10

11. Prevention of Visual Impairments  Most visual impairments are genetic  Prenatal care  Early detection through vision screening  Eye safety 11

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13. Characteristics of Individuals with Visual Impairments  Academic performance  Social and emotional development  Educational implications  Independent living skills  Vocational skills 13

14. Assessment of Individuals with Visual Impairments  Snellen chart  Functional visual evaluation o Literacy medium o Learning media o Large print o Grade 1 Braille o Grade 2 Braille Learn more about reading Braille in this videoBraille 14

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19. Young Children with Visual Impairments Early intervention  Individualized family service plan (IFSP) Early childhood programs Programs for young children with visual impairments teach:  Visual and auditory skills, sensory development, fine and gross motor development, social development, receptive and expressive language development, self-help development, daily living skills 19

20. Transition into Adulthood Transition planning includes:  Vocational training  Postsecondary educational opportunities  Travel skills (orientation and mobility)  Use of community resources  Social adjustment  Independence 20

21. Adults with Visual Impairments Employment possibilities and acquiring job skills Leisure time activities and community participation Orientation and mobility training Using technology 21

22. Family Issues  Services  Advocacy  Education 22

23. Issues of Diversity  Cultural susceptibility to eye diseases  Socioeconomic status influences availability of eye care  Cultural implications 23

24. Technology and Individuals with Visual Impairments  Assistive technology  Technology and literacy  PL 108-446 requires the IEP team to consider the provision of assistive technology devices and services in the development of the student’s IEP. Under IDEA, Braille instruction is required unless the IEP team determines that it is not appropriate after evaluation of the student’s reading and writing skills, needs, and appropriate reading and writing media. 24

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26. Trends, Issues, and Controversies  Teacher shortages  Orientation and mobility specialist shortages  Reading media assessment 26