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Blind and Visually Impaired Community

Full History - 2020 - 06 - 26 - ID#hgcoq0
7
How can I best support a student who is visually impaired? (self.Blind)
submitted by [deleted]
[deleted]
80percentaccurate 7 points 3y ago
She will absolutely have a vision teacher (TVI) you will be working closely with. As a TVI, it really helps me out when you can get me your class materials as far in advance as possible so that I can give your student high quality materials. Please talk to the TVI as much as possible so that they can make appropriate suggestions for how to modify so that everyone can participate.
From a classroom perspective, don’t forget to involve this student even though she has an aide. Her aide is not a teacher. Don’t forget to call on the student for answers, check their work, and manage their behavior just as you would for your other students.
Some helpful hints are to say out loud what you are doing on the board or what you see. When you ask people to raise their hands to show if they know something or have done something, say approximately how many people are putting up their hands. Even better you can have the class make an auditory sound like a clap or a snap if they understand. Say what you are writing in the board. Say why you are asking students to clip down if you use a clip chart. If you’d like an idea of good description go to Netflix and change the language to English Audio Described on any show that has it available. You’ll get an idea of the type of information you may want to provide.
thatblindgirl 2 points 3y ago
Well I am blind, have been since I was a kid and now I’m a teacher. So, feel free to message me with more specific questions. I would recommend that she get her books on the book share program using the Read2Go app. Socializing is really the hardest part of being blind. You can’t always see who to sit next to you at lunch unless the other person actively seeks you out. I would sit her next to some students that you know to be very kind and not too clicky. I am surprised that she has a service dog at that age. You might have her tell you how the others should treat her service dog. Generally, when I am explaining my service dog to younger kids a reference to the pick of the litter show on Disney+. Let me know if you have any more specific questions.
BaginaJon 3 points 3y ago
Doesn’t she have an IEP? She should have a teacher of the visually impaired who can support you.
scoutopotamus 1 points 3y ago
Yes, but it's locked in the office for the summer.
BaginaJon 2 points 3y ago
All I meant was that the TVI assigned to her should provide you with knowledge and help her learn the skills to incorporate herself into your classroom to be as independent as possible.
gumbygirly 2 points 3y ago
Hey, I’m a digital accessibility specialist for a university. My job is all about taking educational materials and making them accessible for students regardless of disability or circumstance. If you have time this summer, I would highly recommend taking a free course or webinar on accessibility. If you can make your documents, presentations, etc. more accessible before giving them to the aid to convert to Braille, it will reduce the turn around time this student has to wait for access. WebAIM, Deque, KSARN, and NC State all have great online resources for accessibility.
IronDominion 2 points 3y ago
The TVI who responded here brought up a lot of good information, I’m going to add in from a student perspective - as I went my entire education in the mainstream system, as did my family member who shares my condition although more severely.

Talking to family members and the TVI is always good, as keeping that communication loop open simply makes things easier. And if one of them is not communicating well, notify the others so things can be worked out. Not every child is good at advocating for themselves, especially at that age, and if another disability is involved, so if you notice a change in grades or behavior, ask if there’s anything you can do to help them like you would any other child. Don’t single them out, instead, teach students that everyone is unique and they should be accepting of that so the class all feels comfortable with their new classmate.
MD_MD 2 points 3y ago
Fourth grade is about when I started getting really self conscious about being “different.” Now, obviously having a dog will make her stand out, but anything you can do to minimize making her feel “different” in front of her peers would likely be really appreciated, even though they already know her. She will need extra things/help/etc, but try slipping it to her discreetly. If you want to check in on how things are going, don’t call her out in front of everyone to stay back, try catching her when no one else is around. Stuff like that. Hope it helps!
BenandGracie 1 points 3y ago
Why does a fourth grader have a service dog? That asked, I echo what others have said, she should have a vision teacher to help her and you.
[deleted] [OP] 4 points 3y ago
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astrolurus 3 points 3y ago
Yep my first thought was that there are other disabilities- the aide is probably not there to primarily convert text to Braille bc the TVI could do that. It’s possible there’s autism or another condition you don’t know about yet which is why getting your hands on the IEP will be important. You can always reach out to the TVI or even family directly and ask how best to support her in the classroom.
thatblindgirl 1 points 3y ago
I know there’s one school in Canada that gives service dogs to blind children starting usually though around age 12.
BenandGracie 1 points 3y ago
I know. I had a guide at 17. I have never heard of a young kid having a service dog that young.
[deleted] [OP] 3 points 3y ago
[deleted]
[deleted] [OP] 3 points 3y ago
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BenandGracie 2 points 3y ago
I would have loved to have had a service dog that young, but I would not have had the skills to manage one.
[deleted] [OP] 1 points 3y ago
[deleted]
its_the_city_girls 1 points 3y ago
I suggest looking up the Facebook group blind & vision impaired support network.
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