NCVITAL: Visual Impairment: Other

North Carolina Vocational Instructors Training in Accessible Learning

Other Tips for Working With a Student with Visual Impairment in the Classroom

For students with severe visual impairments, a general layout of the classroom should be provided:

A guide dog accompanies some students who are blind. Since the dogs are highly trained and disciplined, they will not disrupt the class. As tempting as it may be to pet a guide dog, the dog is responsible for guiding its owner who cannot see and should not be distracted from that duty.
Inform the student if the furniture has been rearranged.
When offering a seat to the student, place the student’s hand on the back and arm of the seat and allow the student to seat him or herself.
Clear pathways of obstructions.
Once a student who is blind is oriented to campus offering to “guide” the student by a different route can be deleterious to the orientation. However, walking “with” the student will not mar the orientation.
If needed, identify yourself at the beginning of a conversation and notify the students when you are exiting a room.
Nonverbal cues depend on visual acuity. Verbaly acknowledging key points in the classroom or conversation facilitates the communication process.
When giving directions, be clear: say "left," "right," or "step down." Let the sudents know where obstacles are; for example, "the chair is to your left."
When guiding or walking with a student, verbally offer your elbow instead of grabbing his or hers.
Allow the student to determine the most ideal seating location so he/she can see, hear and, if possible, touchmuch of the presented material.
Discuss special needs for field trips or other out-of-class activities well in advance.
Assist the student in labeling lab materials so they are easily identifiable.
Familiarize the student with the layout of the classroom or laboratory, noting the closest exits, and locating emergency equipment.
Ask the student if he/she will need assistance during an emergency evacuation and assist in making a plan if necessary.