For many general education teachers, learning that a student with a visual impairment will be joining their class may be a moment of anxiety, with questions surfacing such as: Will I have the right materials? Do I know how to support them? Where do I even begin?
As a teacher of students with visual impairments for nearly a decade, I want to share the most important message I’ve learned: Every single one of these students can access the curriculum and succeed. Their vision doesn’t limit their potential. It’s unlocked by our willingness to provide the right accommodations and see accessibility not as a hurdle, but as a benefit for all.
Most of the time, these kids aren’t cognitively behind. They simply miss a massive amount of visual information that their sighted peers passively absorb. Our job is to bridge that gap. The wonderful secret is that the bridges we build for one student often create easier pathways for everyone.
Accessibility helps every student
Many educators hear “accessibility” and think of compliance checklists or niche interventions for a small number of students. It’s time to reframe that thinking. The principles of good teaching for a student with a visual impairment are, in fact, the principles of good teaching for everyone.
Consider a classroom schedule. For a student with low vision, a clear, high-contrast, or tactile schedule is essential for understanding the flow of the day. But what student doesn’t do better with a predictable routine? This kind of structure benefits any child who simply thrives on what’s coming next, which is most children.
Similarly, a hands-on science lesson designed to be understood through touch is a richer, more memorable experience for every student in the room. This approach aligns with Universal Design for Learning principles, which proposes that designing for learners at the margins ultimately creates a better experience for everyone.
Simple steps to get started
At Miami Lighthouse Academy, we teach an Expanded Core Curriculum that includes skills like orientation and mobility, social interaction and assistive technology. While tailored for our students, its core tenets – building comprehension, fostering independence and encouraging self-advocacy – are skills that benefit every child.
Educators need to know they are likely already doing things that can be adapted, and many of the most effective changes cost little to nothing. Don’t overthink it.
Start with these small, manageable steps:
- Declutter your space. A clean, organized classroom is less visually complex and easier to navigate for a child with low vision. It also reduces distractions for all learners.
- Think about seating. Simply moving a student to a desk in the front and center of the room can make a world of difference.
- Use contrast. Placing worksheets on a solid black mat or tray can make them much easier to see.
- Check the lighting. Are the overhead lights too bright or too dim? Simple adjustments, like pulling a window shade, can reduce glare and improve visibility.
- Embrace low-cost tools. You don’t always need expensive gadgets. A $10 magnifier from Amazon or a simple reading stand to bring print up to eye level can be game changers.
The goal isn’t to become an expert overnight; it’s about being observant and open. Often, the student is your best guide. We focus heavily on teaching our students advocacy skills so they can tell you what they need, whether that’s a digital copy of a worksheet or a moment to use their magnifier. A TVI (Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments) can also be consulted on specific needs and adjustments when available.
What about assistive technology?
In recent years, the world of accessibility has been transformed by assistive technology. Screen-reading software like JAWS and other devices are often more effective than traditional large print, giving students more opportunities for independence. Many states have programs to help students get this technology for free. In Florida, for example, the Low Vision Initiative provides free ophthalmology and tech exams for any student with a visual impairment on an IEP.
Ultimately, success is when a child with a visual impairment is learning, engaging and socializing right alongside their peers. It’s when they have the tools and skills to access the exact same materials, just in a different way.
These students are often far braver and more capable than we assume. Our mission is to give them the skills they need not just to get by in a mainstream classroom, but to go on to college, excel in their careers, and become community leaders.
It all starts with us, the educators on the ground, believing in their potential and making the small changes that clear the page for them to shine.
Opinions expressed by SmartBrief contributors are their own.
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