Classroom Design Tips

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated June 17, 2025
Creating an inclusive classroom environment for students who are blind or visually impaired requires thoughtful planning, flexibility, and collaboration. An organized and accessible space not only promotes safety and independence but also supports orientation and learning.
This guide provides tips for designing classrooms at all grade levels—from preschool to high school—to better meet the unique needs of students with visual impairments.

General Principles (All Grade Levels)

  • Start with a Floor Plan
    Sketch your classroom, noting permanent fixtures (e.g., windows, doors, built-in cabinetry). Mark outlets, phone/modem jacks, and lighting sources. This will guide decisions about furniture placement and technology needs.
  • Minimize Visual and Physical Clutter
    Maintain a clean, well-organized environment. Define activity areas clearly and avoid excess furniture or decorations that overwhelm visual space. A simplified environment aids navigation, reduces distractions, and supports behavior regulation.
  • Create Clear and Safe Traffic Paths
    Arrange furniture to create wide, obstacle-free pathways that allow students to navigate independently. Ensure the space accommodates mobility devices (such as wheelchairs and walkers) and provides safe navigation.
  • Maintain Consistency
    Keep furniture and materials in consistent locations. When rearrangements are necessary, reorient the student to the new layout.
  • Label and Organize Materials
    Use accessible labeling systems (large print, braille, tactile symbols) to promote independence and reinforce literacy.
  • Environmental Controls
    Adjust lighting, contrast, color, and spacing based on individual needs. For example, glare reduction and high-contrast furnishings can make a big difference for students with low vision.

Seating and Equipment Placement

  • Lighting and Visual Field: Determine the student's optimal visual angle and seating position. Position away from glare and toward instructional materials.
  • Proximity to Outlets: Ensure access to power sources for electronic devices.
  • Equipment Storage: Provide extra space for magnifiers, slant boards, or braille devices.
  • Ergonomics: Choose appropriately sized tables and chairs. Feet should be flat on the floor, and the table height should support upper body movement and equipment use.

Surface and Safety Considerations

  • Flooring: Be aware of transitions between surfaces (tile, carpet, wood). Highlight edges using high-contrast or tactile materials (e.g., colored duct tape, rubber edging).
  • Trailing Surfaces: Provide firm, continuous surfaces (e.g., cabinets, bookshelves) for students to trail along.
  • Secure Hazards: Tape down rugs, runners, and cords to prevent tripping.
  • Use Landmarks: Incorporate sensory landmarks—textured, auditory, or visual—to support independent orientation.

Promoting Independence

  • Assign cubbies, lockers, or personal spaces near consistent, easy-to-identify landmarks.
  • Encourage all students to:
    • Push chairs in when not in use
    • Fully open/close doors
    • Clean up after activities
Teach and reinforce organizational systems (e.g., using bins, labels, shelves) to help students independently access materials.

Classroom Zoning (for PreK and Self-Contained Classrooms)

  • Use zoning charts to designate staff roles during instructional times, routines, and transitions.
  • Prepare variations for substitute coverage or unexpected changes.
  • Post charts in a shared, accessible location and update them regularly.
  • Emphasize collaboration and flexibility. Support staff should work as a team to maintain consistency and cover gaps.

Grade-Specific Recommendations

Preschool
  • Use clearly defined zones (e.g., circle time, sensory, pretend play).
  • Label materials with braille, tactile symbols, and real objects.
  • Provide consistent tactile paths between centers.
  • Incorporate multi-sensory play: sound toys, textured bins, musical cues.
  • Allow for movement exploration with soft barriers, mats, and low shelves.
Elementary School
  • Use classroom routines to build spatial memory and orientation.
  • Label classroom areas (e.g., library, supplies, centers) in accessible formats.
  • Highlight key visual features with bold color contrast.
  • Use consistent verbal directions paired with physical prompts when needed.
  • Incorporate assigned classroom jobs to promote ownership and independence.
Middle School
  • Support transitions between multiple classrooms by providing:
    • Accessible school maps
    • Mobility instruction between classes
    • Lockers near landmarks
  • Involve the student in desk placement decisions based on visual or technological needs.
  • Promote self-advocacy for requesting classroom adjustments (lighting, seating, materials).
High School
  • Coordinate with multiple teachers across content areas to ensure consistent seating, lighting, and equipment accommodations.
  • Encourage digital organization tools and lockers near accessible routes.
  • Work with IT to ensure technology access in labs and specialized settings.
  • Promote independence through structured routines, personal schedules, and checklists.
The physical design of a classroom is more than just aesthetics—it shapes a student's ability to learn, navigate, and engage with others. By creating a safe, predictable, and accessible environment, educators empower students who are blind or visually impaired to develop confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.
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