Foundation of Special & Inclusive Education - Learners with Visual/Hearing Impairment

Foundation of Special & Inclusive Education DAY 15-16 09.16.24 Learners with Visual/Hearning Impairment What is Visual Impairment? The definition from Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) states that “an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affe...

Foundation of Special & Inclusive Education DAY 15-16 09.16.24 Learners with Visual/Hearning Impairment What is Visual Impairment? The definition from Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) states that “an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects child’s educational performance, which includes both sight and blindness” these students may need to have their eyesight corrected by wearing glasses or other optical devices. Level of Functional Vision Low Vision – students use their vision as their primary sensory channel Functionally Blind – students can use limited vision for functional tasks but need their tactile and auditory channels for learning Totally Blind – students use tactile and auditory channels for learning and functional tasks Third Classification System Congenital – occurs during fetal development, at birth or immediately following birth; visual impairment is present before visual memory has been established Adventitious – occurs after having normal vision either through a hereditary condition or trauma; visual memory may remain. Characteristics Visual impairment is essentially an umbrella term used to describe the loss of sight that can be a consequence of number of different medical conditions. Some Common Causes of Visual Impairment Glaucoma: This is like damage to the "wiring" of your eye. Imagine your eye has a cable that helps send signals to your brain. Glaucoma damages this cable, which can lead to loss of vision. Retinopathy of Prematurity: This happens with babies born too early. Their eyes aren't fully developed, which can cause problems with their vision. Cataracts: Think of your eye’s lens as a clear window. Cataracts make this window cloudy, so it’s like trying to look through a foggy or dirty window. Retinal Detachment: The retina is like a movie screen at the back of your eye. If it starts to pull away from where it should be, it’s like the screen coming loose, which can mess up your vision. Macular Degeneration: This affects the part of your retina that helps you see things clearly in the center of your vision. It’s like having a blurry spot right in the middle of what you’re trying to look at. Some Common Causes of Visual Impairment Diabetic Retinopathy: Eye damage caused by diabetes that affects the blood vessels in the retina, leading to vision problems. Cortical Visual Impairment: Vision problems caused by issues in the brain, rather than the eyes themselves. Infection: Illnesses or germs that can affect the eyes and lead to vision problems. Trauma: Injuries to the eyes that can impact vision. Impact on Learning Students with visual impairments can’t learn as much from their surroundings because they rely less on sight. About 80% of learning for sighted children comes from visual cues. For those with visual impairments, other senses (touch and hearing) don’t fully make up for the loss of sight. Students with visual impairments need specific teaching methods to help them develop skills in areas beyond general education. Impact on Learning Students with visual impairments can’t learn as much from their surroundings because they rely less on sight. About 80% of learning for sighted children comes from visual cues. For those with visual impairments, other senses (touch and hearing) don’t fully make up for the loss of sight. Students with visual impairments need specific teaching methods to help them develop skills in areas beyond general education. Teaching Strategies The classroom teacher should encourage independence as often as possible to avoid the trap “learned helplessness.” Encourage the students to move independently through the classroom, and organize your classroom accordingly. Materials, desks, and other objects in the classroom should be maintained in consistent locations. Ensuring the cabinet, chairs pushed in, and doors are not left half will help with safety in navigating the classroom. Teaching Strategies Part of becoming independent for students with a visual impairment is learning when to advocate for assistance. The student’s orientation and mobility specialist and teacher of students with visual impairment can assist with room arrangements and room familiarization. Assistive Technology Computer adaptations: 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. Refreshable Braille display: converts text on computer to braille by an output device connected to the computer. Assistive Technology Adaptive devices: Braille Notetakers: Small, lightweight devices that help people with visual impairments take notes. They can connect to a printer or a machine that makes Braille copies. Optical Character Reader (OCR): A tool that scans printed text and turns it into digital files. These files can then be read out loud by a computer or converted into Braille. Electronic Braillewriter: A device that creates Braille text and can also convert Braille into regular text or spoken words. Talking Calculators: Calculators that speak the numbers and results aloud, so people with visual impairments can use them. Assistive Technology Optical devices: 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 What is Hearing Impairment? The official definition of a hearing impairment by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is “an impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance but is not included under the definition of ‘deafness.’ Above 90 decibels of sound is deafness. Below 90 decibels of sound is impairment. Educational Challenges the subjects of grammar, spelling and vocabulary taking notes while listening to lectures participating in classroom discussions watching educational videos presenting oral reports Underscoring the difficulty that students with hearing impairments may have in presenting oral reports are the potential language development problems linked to hearing impairments. Signs of hearing loss in toddlers and school-age children Has difficulty understanding what people are saying. Speaks differently than other children her or his age. Doesn't reply when you call his or her name. Responds inappropriately to questions (misunderstands). Turns up the TV volume incredibly high or sits very close to the TV to hear. Has problems academically, especially if they weren't present before. Has speech or language delays or problems articulating things. Watches others in order to imitate their actions, at home or in school. Complains of ear pain, earaches or noises. Cannot understand over the phone or switches ears frequently while talking on the phone. Says "what?" or "huh?" several times a day. Watches a speaker's face very intently—many children's hearing loss escapes detection because they are very successful lip readers. How to Get Support? Teachers Accommodate the needs of the children by adjusting the education program Early treatment and support Parents Get educated Communicate Stay in touch with their children Question #1 Student Z has fluctuating hearing problem. He can hear loud sounds but has hard of hearing soft sounds. He uses a hearing aid to help him in his educational performance. What condition does student Z have? a. Sensory hearing loss b. Visual Impairment c. Hearing Impairment d. Deafness Question #2 Student u was asked to count the legs of a queen ant climbing on the wall. Which of the following optical devices must be used by the students based on the given scenario? a. Camera b. Closed-circuit television c. Magnifiers d. Telescope Question #3 Student H purely uses Braille and auditory materials inside the classroom for she cannot see even a little. What type of visual impairment does she have? a. Low Vision b. Functionally Blind c. Totally Blind d. Congenital Question #4 Which of the following is the LEAST effective teacher strategies or accommodation for students who are visually impaired? a. make sure he is near the front of the room b. control lighting variables when presenting learning materials c. put the student at the back area so he will no be an obstacle to others d. use visual or physical cues with students who can see their body movement Question #5 A 65-year-old patient visits the eye clinic complaining of difficulty seeing objects clearly and experiencing blurred vision, especially in the center of their vision. After a thorough examination, the eye doctor diagnoses the patient with a condition affecting the central part of the retina. Which condition is most likely affecting this patient? a. Glaucoma b. Retinopathy of Prematurity c. Cataracts d. Macular Degeneration Question #6 A middle-aged patient is experiencing gradual loss of clear vision and notices that objects appear hazy or blurred. The ophthalmologist observes that the lens of the eye has become cloudy. What is the likely diagnosis for this patient? a. Macular Degeneration b. Glaucoma c. Retinal Detachment d. Cataracts Question #7 A newborn baby is diagnosed with a visual impairment right after birth. The condition was present at birth and is related to developmental issues that occurred while the baby was still in the womb. What type of visual impairment is this newborn most likely experiencing? a. Adventitious b. Congenital c. Low Vision d. Functionally Blind Question #8 An elderly patient presents with a recent onset of eye redness, discharge, and pain. The patient mentions having a cold and flu symptoms recently. The eye exam reveals swelling and irritation but no structural damage to the eye itself. What is the most likely cause of this patient’s vision problems? a. Diabetic Retinopathy b. Infection c. Trauma d. Cortical Visual Impairment Question #9 A student’s hearing loss is measured at 92 decibels, and it is significantly impacting their ability to understand spoken language in an educational environment. Based on the decibel measurement and IDEA’s definition, what is the appropriate classification for this student’s hearing loss? a. Hearing Impairment b. Deafness c. Temporary Hearing Loss d. Normal Hearing Question #10 Do students who has hearing impairment need to know what subject matter will be discussed in order to pick up words that help them follow the conversation? a. Yes, especially because this is important to individuals who depend on oral communication. b. No, especially because they learn best in prints, since they cannot hear properly. c. Unlikely yes, especially because the use of overhead projectors and films is advance to help them. d. Unlikely No, because it is difficult and impossible for them to speech read. 5 points What are effective teaching strategies for supporting students with visual impairments? Cite 2 examples. Thank you for listening!