supporting blind/visual impaired students

Students who are visually impaired are expected to participate fully in class activities. To record notes, some use such devices as laptop computers or computerised braillers. Students may confront limitations in laboratory sessions, field trips and internships, but with planning and adaptive equipment, their difficulties can be minimised.

Before or early in the course:

• Provide reading lists or syllabi to allow time for taping or brailling of texts.
• Assist the student in finding readers, note-takers or team the student with a sighted classmate or laboratory assistant.
• Reserve front seats for low-vision students. If a guide dog is used, it will be highly disciplined and require little space.

During the Course:

• Face class when speaking
• Convey in speech whatever you put on board and whatever other visual cues or graphic cues you may use.
• Permit lectures to be taped and/or provide copies of lecture notes where appropriate.
• Provide large print copies of lecture materials.
• Be flexible with assignment deadlines
• Plan field trips and internships well in advance and alert field supervisors to whatever adaptations may be needed.
• If a specific task is impossible for the student to carry out, consider an alternative assignment.

Examinations and Evaluations

Alternative means of assessing visually impaired students' course achievements may be necessary. They may suggest testing and evaluation strategies like the use of print enlargers, specialised computer programmes or tape recorders.

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