Blind and Low Vision
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About blind and low vision
‘Blind and low vision’ refers to significant and ongoing challenges with the ability to see. Some children may be considered ‘legally blind’ if they cannot see beyond six metres (compared to 60 metres for a child with normal vision) or if their visual field is less than 20 degrees in diameter (compared to 140 degrees for a child with normal vision). Some children may be considered to have ‘low vision’ if they have permanent vision loss that cannot be corrected with glasses and their ability to complete everyday tasks is affected. Children with low vision may have some sight, but experience difficulties with visual acuity (being able to see detail), accommodation (being able to focus), field of vision (the area that can be seen), colour vision and adapting to different lighting between environments.
As a teacher you can best support the student by knowing about the type and severity of vision impairment they have. Some children might be learning to read Braille, or use low vision aid technology like electronic magnifiers, closed-circuit television or iPads™. They might need large print materials. Understanding each child’s strengths and abilities will allow you to develop ideas about ways to make education safe, fun, and as inclusive as possible.
Strengths
What might be some strengths?
- Students who are blind or low vision may have the same capacity for learning as other children.
- They may have normal reading comprehension (i.e. they can understand what words and sentences mean).
- They might be skilled at identifying things through touch.
- Some might be able to learn number concepts through hearing.
- They can be resilient and adaptable.
Where might you provide support?
- Some students might have challenges with reading. This could include getting tired easily after reading for long periods, taking longer to read, or making more reading errors.
- Some children may have trouble making eye contact, reading facial expressions and observing social cues.
- They may have much less access to educational material than their peers.
- They might at times feel frustrated or disappointed with their vision or with looking different. They might feel self-conscious about using low vision aids which can be a barrier to making friends (e.g. magnifiers, CCTV, iPads™). They may feel like they don’t fit in, or have low confidence or low self-esteem.
- Some students might have delays with movement, balance and object control. This may make physical education and being independent challenging for them.
- Some students may have difficulties with starting tasks, problem solving, planning, organisation and memory.
- Walking around in unfamiliar places can be difficult.
- They may not have as many opportunities to develop play skills and might not begin play activities without prompting.
Evidence-based strategies
Identify different ways that a child can learn
Consider the environmental setup
Practice literacy skills
- Find out the best size, type and spacing for printed materials. Some students only need bigger text to be able to read. Some might have a certain size or font they like best. Providing extra material like this takes more time, so preparation is important.
- Use hands-on learning. Students might learn better using touch. Tactile materials (things to touch or hold) can be graphs, charts or drawings with raised printing, or 3D models, which let students use their hands to learn. These take time to prepare or need to be prepared before class. They also might take more time for students to use. The Statewide Vision Resource Centre has a range of tactual books and games ideas.
- Describe images with words. Describing images verbally or in writing can help students access more types of information. Try combining descriptions of images with large print, Braille or low vision aids.
- Get students to re-read things. For students who take longer to read, “Repeated reading”, or getting students to re-read material, can help support their reading comprehension.
- Keep instructions brief. Keep the instructions for an activity simple, rather than have many steps and details.
- Create roles that promote full participation. Create roles in activities or games that allow a student to fully participate.
- Let students choose their seating position. If a student is able to read at closer distances or certain angles, let them sit wherever is best for them.
- Increase writing size on boards. Students with low vision might benefit from larger-sized writing on whiteboards and screens.
- Provide a consistent reading practice. Children who are blind or low vision learn to read more effectively with a consistent, organised reading practice. A daily practice is ideal.
Best practice tips
Be proactive
Tailor teaching to students’ needs
Consider the learning environment
Encourage clear communication
Help students develop their social skills
Maximise technology
Collaborate with families
Promote self-determination
- Give students work early. Consider handing out work to students who are blind or low vision, or their families, before a class or term so they can pre-learn the material. They can then get a head start or have it reformatted into Braille or large print.
- Ensure you are equipped with the relevant skills, resources, strategies and training. For example, consider accessing the Statewide Vision Resource Centre.
- Allow more time. Some blind and low vision students may need more time to read material.
- Consider removing classroom clutter. Decluttering might help students who are blind or low vision focus. Having a simple classroom structure might help students move around the classroom safely. Consider removing unnecessary furniture and objects.
- Keep things in the same place. Try to keep things used by students in the same place. Tell a student if you are moving something and show them where it is being moved to.
- Give clear directions. Words such as “this”, “that”, “there” and “here” might not make sense to some children who are blind or low vision, if they can’t see what you are indicating. Consider using specific words and statements to direct students, for example “Please put the box on the table”.
- Develop students’ communication skills. Asking a student questions or giving detailed instructions can help students develop their communication skills. Using short and simple sentences and having predictable and repetitive routines can also be helpful.
- Use short and simple sentences. Sentences and instructions are more helpful when they are short, clear and simple.
- Read aloud as you write. Consider reading aloud anything you write on a board in a slow and clear voice. Check that the student has had time to complete their note taking.
- Keep students in the main class. It is important for students to stay in the main class for most of the day, rather than with support staff in a different room. This helps them feel the same as other children and allows time for them to get to know other children.
- Build social skills. This can be through verbal instruction and feedback, prompting, role playing, modelling and peer mediation. For example, consider teaching students how to make friends and have a conversation. It may be helpful to discuss ways they can act or respond in common social situations (e.g. joining in an activity), or to role play situations and provide feedback to them.
- Encourage play. Children might need help to learn how to play, and they may need more play opportunities. Consider playing with children and letting them direct the play. If they don’t join in immediately, it may help to encourage them with general comments (e.g. “There are a lot of toys in the box”), specific comments (e.g. “Will you play with the dolls with me?”) or by physically helping them play (e.g. “Let’s race the cars together”).
- Use computer-assisted instruction and interactive e-learning. This involves using regular and specialised devices (for example, laptops, tablets, braille notetakers) to deliver and enable access to academic content and instruction. Supported e-text can be modified by students to enhance their comprehension and learning. Giving students immediate access to content and instruction which they can interact with and manipulate can enable independence and collaboration with peers. When using these devices, ensure that the student has the technology skills required to participate, and closely monitor student progress.
- Maintain regular communication with families. Families can provide valuable information about their child. This information can be incorporated into the classroom to better address student preferences and needs, enabling their learning and inclusion.
- Promote self-determination. Empower and teach children to make simple choices, set goals, be independent, and develop problem-solving abilities. Use technology as needed.
Curriculum considerations
- Consider activities where students can feel different textures, listen to music, and use their hands or the rest of their body in dance. We share more tips for dance teachers on our AllPlay Dance website.
- Students who are blind or low vision may need more time to learn reading and writing skills
- They might ‘guess’ what a word or letter within a word is, instead of actually reading the word (these are called substitution errors).
- They may find it challenging to work out the basic sounds that make up a written word (this is called ‘decoding’).
- Many students will be learning to read with Braille, and might use devices such as Braille-writers.
- Some students might use assistive technologies like electronic magnifiers, closed-circuit televisions and text-to-speech devices for reading or taking notes.
- Encourage students and families to read as much as they can at home.
- Students may benefit from shared reading activities. This is where a teacher reads with a group of children and interacts with them.
- Encouraging parents to read to their child at home can also support learning.
- It may be helpful to encourage children to write by giving positive comments about their writing, getting them to read and write their name, and allowing plenty of time for drawing.
- Teaching children how to read books may involve showing them how to turn pages, or encouraging them to follow Braille or raised text with their fingers from left to right and top to bottom as you read. Different facial expressions, voices and sounds when reading stories can also help.
- Physical education can help improve confidence, self-esteem and independence.
- Students who are blind or low vision might spend less time being physically active than peers, and could be less confident in physical education classes. Encourage students to have a go at activities in safe environments. This might mean focusing on just having a go at first rather than learning a specific technique.
- Some children may not be able to watch others modelling a skill. Consider whether physical prompts or assistance when learning a skill may be helpful.
- Consider pairing blind or low vision students with sighted students and friends.
- Bullying during physical education classes is a common experience for students who are blind or low vision. There are various ways this can be addressed. Highlight a student’s abilities rather than their disability during class, and make sure all students are included in class activities and leadership roles. This can help foster attitudes of acceptance and inclusion amongst peers. Offer modifications and variations to activities that ‘level the playing field’ so that all students can participate on an equal basis.
- Refer to AllPlay Footy for more strategies and ideas for including children who are blind or have low vision in team sports.
- Students who are blind or low vision may need extra support and time when learning maths, as maths can have a lot of visual content (e.g. tables, charts, graphs, plots).
- Consider teaching about numbers out loud. This could include clapping or saying numbers.
- 3D models and tactile graphics (large diagrams, graphs, flow diagrams or pictures that have raised surfaces) may help.
- Refer Use hands-on learning, Describe images with words, and Maximise technology
- Students who are blind or low vision may need extra support and time when learning science, as science can have a lot of visual content (e.g. tables, charts, graphs, plots).
- 3D models and tactile graphics (large diagrams, graphs, flow diagrams or pictures that have raised surfaces) may help.
- Teachings tips that might help include use hands-on learning and Describe images with words.
- Some students may have expertise in this area through using technology to aide their vision.
- Refer to identify different ways that a student can learn.
Other considerations
Statewide Vision Resource Centre
Behaviour
Safety
First aid
Safety drills
Friendships
Homework
Excursions
Transitions
Braille
Low vision aids
Other co-occurring conditions
Relevant resources
Visit our resources page for a range of resources that can help to create inclusive education environments for children with disabilities and developmental challenges. Some particularly relevant resources for children with who are blind and low vision include our Audio Stories, and:
