Encourage Use of Vision

By Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated May 28, 2024
​Encouraging students with visual impairments to use their vision effectively involves a combination of motivation, appropriate materials, communication strategies, and environmental considerations. Here are some key factors and strategies to consider:
 
  • Motivation: Provide meaningful activities and experiences that motivate the student to use their vision. Consider the student's interests and preferences when planning activities. For example, if a student enjoys music, incorporate visual elements into music-related activities to capture their attention.
  • Communication: Use clear and concise verbal communication to help the student understand the purpose of the activity and what is expected of them. Even non-verbal students can benefit from hearing your voice, which can help them identify you and understand the context of the activity.
  • Positioning: Ensure that the student is positioned in a way that allows them to use their vision comfortably. Provide adequate support for their head and trunk to prevent fatigue and enable them to maintain their visual field for viewing materials.
  • Material Selection: Choose materials that are familiar to the student and match their visual preferences and abilities. Consider using toys and objects with characteristics such as reflective surfaces, movement, lights, and high contrast to capture the student's attention and encourage visual exploration.
  • Gradual Introduction: Introduce new materials and objects gradually, starting with familiar items and gradually introducing new ones. Use verbal descriptions and tactile exploration to help the student become familiar with new objects before introducing them visually.
  • Response Time: Allow the student ample time to respond to visual stimuli without distractions. Minimize background noise and provide appropriate lighting conditions to optimize visual engagement. Be patient and give the student time to process and respond to visual information.
  • Environmental Considerations: Create a supportive environment that minimizes distractions and enhances the student's ability to focus on visual tasks. Adjust lighting levels and use task lighting to highlight visual stimuli. Consider using visual cues and prompts to guide the student's attention.
 
By incorporating these strategies into daily activities and interactions, educators and caregivers can help students with visual impairments develop and enhance their visual skills effectively. Collaboration with other professionals, such as occupational therapists and vision specialists, can provide valuable insights and support for optimizing visual functioning in various contexts.

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