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Teaching Aids

Teaching Students with Vision Problems
Carol Farrenkopf, Low Vision Consultant with the Toronto District School Board has provided the following activities teachers can do when teaching children with vision problems.

The following activities teachers can do when teaching children with impaired vision. Note that different strategies will be necessary for children with visual perception deficiencies.
 
General Suggestions
 
  • When providing written feedback to students, print or write neatly in a dark pen or marker
  • Use descriptive language whenever referring to something in a book or to something on the board
  • Allow the student to sit closer to the front of the classroom, if it suits his/her needs
  • Allow the student to sit with his/her back to the light source (e.g., windows in the classroom) to avoid glare
  • Use bold colours to highlight certain aspects of maps and graphs
 
When using the board or overhead
 
  • Say aloud what you are writing 
  • Print or write with neat, large, well-spaced words 
  • Try to keep the chalkboard clean so the chalk is easier for all children to see 
  • White chalk on a green or black board provides the best contrast for visibility 
  • Black and blue markers are more visible on an overhead than are red and orange markers 
  • Use a pointer to help direct the students' attention to specific details on the chalkboard 
  • Give the child his/her own printed copy of material presented on the blackboard 
 
When you are demonstrating something in the classroom
 
  • Provide verbal descriptions of what you are doing and what is happening
  • Allow a hands-on demonstration whenever possible.
  • Allow students to move closer to you during a demonstration
 
To ensure maximum participation in physical education
 
  • Make sure the child’s glasses have plastic or polycarbonate lenses and a sturdy frame with an elastic band to secure the glasses on the child’s head. If not, request that the child’s parents provide safety/sports goggles for physical education activities.
  • Some students may wear contact lenses. If so, they should wear protective sports goggles over them for sports activities.
  • Do not suggest that the child remove his/her glasses or contact lenses and participate in physical activities without correction.
 
Classroom Presentations
The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) has many member optometrists around the province who are pleased to do presentations on a variety of topics. The optometrists can bring hands on optical experiments, models, visual tests and movies to help make learning about the eye fun. Optometrists can talk about how the eye works, safety and prevention and optics.
 
If you would like an optometrist to come and speak to your class please contact us.