Numbers & Counting AdaptationsMathematics is visual in nature and can, therefore, present many challenges for students with visual impairments. Some adaptions can be made to the various areas of mathematics to make them accessible to students who are blind or visually impaired. Learn more about strategies and material suggestions.
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By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Number sense refers to a students fluidity and flexibility with numbers as well as the concept that numbers mean and an ability to perform mental math and make comparisons to math in the environment. This page describes adaptations for students who are blind or visually impaired. Developing the concept of number sense for math success and understanding is comparable to phonemic awareness for reading. It is important for older students to continue to work on this skill as well if they have not yet mastered it. To do this, it is important to provide many opportunities for students to explore groups of concrete & real objects and to compare the relative size of groups of things.
Math instruction in the primary grades should be as concrete as possible." ~ Bishop, Virginia. Teaching Visually Impaired Children. Charles C. Thomas. 1996. p.67. Students should have many opportunities throughout the day to count both small and large groups of objects; match the number of objects to braille or print numbers; and to talk about numbers discussing how many, how much more or less, and how many more are needed. Word problems can be a particular challenge for students. Keeping word problems as concrete as possible will help students who have a difficult time with problems completing mental imagery.
As students explore materials related to the unit, talk about similarities and differences in materials. In addition to providing many opportunities to count, encourage students to explore numbers within the environment. Personalized and interactive books can also be created with the student's name, age, birthday, phone numbers, and address to practice number skills specific to the student. Although hands on experiences with real objects is essential, it is also essential for students who are blind or visually impaired to memorize their math facts as it is for their sighted peers.
The Nemeth Braille Code is a math code for encoding mathematical and scientific notation linearly using standard six-dot braille cells for tactile reading. The most significant difference between Nemeth braille and standard literary braille, besides the new symbols, is the use of context-dependent rules that require shifting back and forth between the Nemeth code and the literary code. The most obvious change is the use of the dropped or lower-cell numerals rather than upper-cell ones in depicting numbers.Students who will be braille learners, will need to be exposed to and formally instructed in the Nemeth Code at an early age similar to when their sighted peers learn numbers.
EZeeCOUNT Abacus 
The EZeeCOUNT Abacus consists of a 10x10 grid of flat beads. The beads can be flipped and distinguished by color and/or texture. The red beads are wavy/rough and the yellow beads are smooth. Each row of beads slides along an elastic band from left to right. The reverse side is a dry-erase board. EZeeCOUNT abacus can be used for: addition, subtraction, multiplication, patterns, place value, addition, number combinations, fractions, graphs, and games.
Beginner's Abacus
The expanded Beginner's Abacus kit introduces visually impaired students to early math concepts and number operations, as well as abacus terminology. According to their product description, it "supports concepts and skills such as one-to-one correspondence, number meaning, addition, and subtraction. It also prepares students for the Cranmer Abacus."
The Cranmer Abacus
The abacus is a calculation tool but it should not be confused with a calculator. A better comparison is that it is used like paper and pencil for students with vision. The Cranmer Abacus was designed specifically for individuals who are blind. What makes it unique is the piece of soft fabric or rubber that is placed behind the beads so that they will not inadvertently move while the person performs calculations.
Braille Number Magnets
Braille number magnets are available from Playskool in both numbers and letters. These magnets can be a fun learning tool for students with low vision as well as dual print/braille learners. Care should be taken if using them with students who are braille only learners as the print letters/numbers will need to be properly oriented in order to read the braille.
Base Ten Blocks
Base ten blocks are a mathematical manipulative used by teachers to instruct students on basic mathematical concepts including addition, subtraction, number sense, place value and counting. The student can manipulate the blocks in different ways to express numbers and patterns. This hands-on tool is ideal for students who are visually impaired and blind.
Bold line paper
Bold line paper is a tool that can be used in mathematics for students with low vision. The paper can be turned sideways to form columns that can assist students in performing paper/pencil activities that require keeping numbers lined up.
Math Flash Software
Math Flash Software from APH helps elementary students sharpen math skills with talking electronic flash cards. It's a self-voicing program that uses the computer's sound card to communicate instructions, drills, practice sessions, and games.
Tactile Dice
Tactile Dice can make games and other math activities accessible to students with low vision or who are blind.
Talking Calculator App
$1.99 Talking Calculator app speaks button names, numbers, and answers aloud through a customizable built-in directory that lets users record their own voice. The company also offers a Talking Scientific Calculator for $4.99
Counting books
Counting books are a wonderful way to practice counting with students. Commercially available counting books can be adapted, or homemade books can be created. Jellybean Jungle is one of several Twin Vision books available through APH that introduce students to counting.
Braille Number and Alphabet Blocks
Braille number and alphabet blocks provide children an early play and interaction with braille. The numbers on the block are in Nemeth braille.
PlanToys Braille Numbers 1 - 10 
PlanToys Braille Numbers 1 - 10 can be used to teach student braille numbers 1-10.
Digi-Blocks
Digi-Blocks are small rectangular-shaped blocks and empty holders. These materials help children discover the important relationship between ones and tens – a concept crucial to understanding how arithmetic operations work.
Graph PaperSome students will have significant difficulty lining up math problems. Provide students with strategies such as using graph paper or turn lined paper sideways to create columns.
Hundreds Board
The APH hundreds board and manipulatives includes manipulatives that can be used to help teach basic math concepts. It includes two 10x10 boards made of heavy duty plastic.
MathBuilders Unit 7: Fractions, Mixed Numbers, and Decimals 
MathBuilders Unit 7: Fractions, Mixed Numbers, and Decimals from APH is a supplementary math program that consists of materials that are accessible to students who are blind or who have low vision.
Number Line Device
The Number Line Device from APH is a basic tool for teaching number concepts, number sequence, counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, rounding, estimating whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. The number line teach mathematical concepts including representing whole number sums at the elementary level, to representing fractions at the intermediate level, to locating irrational numbers at the middle school level.
Number Line
This Number Line to 10,000,000, available from Slide-A-Round Math Manipulatives, was developed by Jim Franklin who is a special education teacher. This number line is accessible to students with low vision as well as those who are blind.
Number Peg Board
These numbered peg boards can be easily adapted with a braille label to make them accessible for a possible braille learner. They are excellent for students with low vision as well as they are in high contrast.
Quick Pick Math
Quick Pick Math is a math game from APH.It consists of a plastic packet with large print/braille cards. The front and back of each card contains a math question and four possible answers. To play, the student inserts the included tool in one of four holes in the front of the plastic packet.
Tack Tiles
The Nemeth Tactile System from TackTiles is ideal for students who may not be able to read braille tactually from loss of finger sensitivity. It provides these students with the opportunity to access math.
Twist & Shout
The Twist and Shout game by Leapfrog provides an fun way to practice and learn math facts. Different Twist and Shout games are available including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
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TVI's Guide Complete Set Bundle + BONUS Resources
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Buy together at a reduced price and get BONUS resources! TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC: An Activities Based Curriculum for Teaching Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired The TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC is a digital pdf available for download. It is designed specifically for fellow itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI’s), and consists of over 400 activities and topic areas of discussion for instructing students in the Expanded Core Curriculum. The activities are age-neutral and multi-sensory and therefore can meet the needs of the broad range of students served on an itinerant caseload serving. The activities can be individualized to the students various learning modalities and scaffold in order to challenge students but ensure success. Select those activities that align with the student’s learning objects based on the student’s unique visual needs and academic and developmental level. In addition to the core activity areas, each of the 32 Thematic Units incorporates additional unique ECC concepts and skills providing you with a years’ worth of activities. These units are cyclical and can be used repeatedly to help students build on prior knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of concepts. Each unit includes suggestions for activity adaptation associated with the unit. These include lists of objects, possible community-based experiences, environmental print, poems, children & young reader books, children's songs, pop culture songs, movies, and websites. In addition to the book, the following two supplements are included: ·      TVI’s Guide to the ECC Concept Checklist ·      TVI’s Guide to the ECC Activities Checklist For complete product details and additional images, visit the TVI's Guide product page. TVI's Guide to the ECC Product details ·      Digital pdf download: 346 pages (11 pt font) ·      Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments ·      Author: Carmen Willings ·      Language: English Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheets: TVI's Guide to the ECC Grab and Go Supplements The Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheets is a Grab and Go supplement to the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC. This workbook is a pdf download that can be printed on demand for use with students. It contains five different types of worksheets for developing visual motor skills and near magnifier fluency skills particularly with the use of a video magnifier. As a companion to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to each of the 32 ECC Thematic units. The worksheets, along with a list of environmental print for each thematic unit, are designed to help students refine their visual motor skills while reinforcing ECC concepts presented in the thematic units.  For complete product details and additional images, visit the Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Product Page. Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheet Details: ·      Digital pdf download: 210 pages ·      Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments ·      Author: Carmen Willings ·      Language: English Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency and Maintenance Worksheets: A TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC Grab & go Supplement The Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency and Maintenance Grab and Go ECC worksheet packet is a print on demand workbook that contains worksheets in print and simulated braille to use for data collection. Present the student with a hard braille copy and use the worksheets to document accuracy and fluency in reading braille. As a companion to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to the ECC Thematic activities presented in the curriculum guide. These word lists and sentences will help the student refine their keyboarding or braille reading skills while bridging ECC concepts presented in the thematic units. Although the lists and passages can be produced using a manual braillewriter, you may also copy and paste the passages into any braille translation software for quick production on an embosser. They may also be entered into a typing program such as APH’s Talking Typer to build keyboarding fluency. For complete product details and additional images, visit the Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency & Maintenance Product Page Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency Worksheet Details: ·      Digital pdf download: 338-page print and simulated braille worksheets ·      Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments ·      Author: Carmen Willings ·      Language: English Thematic Vocabulary Cards and Checklists: Grab & Go ECC Supplement The Thematic Vocabulary Cards and Checklists Grab and Go ECC supplement is a 446 page pdf downloadable print on demand workbook that includes 2940 vocabulary card on 3 1/2" x 2" templates divided by each of the 32 Thematic Units along with a checklist of each unit words in print and simulated braille. As a companion to the TVI's Guide to the ECC, the vocabulary cards correspond to the ECC Thematic activities presented in the curriculum guide. Additional Use: Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments can have a extremely varied caseloads. It is possible to go several years without having a student on your caseload who requires braille instruction. Like other skills, if you do not practice your braille regularly, it is easy to lose those skills. Use these checklists and cards to maintain your braille skills. Fold the checklist along the line dividing the print from the braille. Choose to either read the print and produce the word in braille using a braillewriter or read the simulated braille and decode it. Finally, these vocabulary cards and checklists may be used with family members or peers who are interested in learning and practicing the braille code. For complete product details and additional images, visit the Thematic Vocabulary Cards & Checklists Product Page Thematic Vocabulary Cards and Checklists Details: ·      Digital pdf download: 446-page print on demand resource ·      Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments ·      Author: Carmen Willings ·      Language: English BONUS! Lotto Cards The LOTTO Cards Grab and Go Supplement includes 37 theme related unit cards along with activity suggestions that support activities within the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC. On My Way File Folder Cards Print and use these cards to represent locations the student may visit that are related to the current thematic unit. Use these with the On My Way File Folder Game outlined in the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC p. 27. NEW! Access to TVI's Guide Bonus Membership Pages Note: All products are digital pdf downloads. Once you make your purchase you will be directed to an order confirmation page where you will find the download link. This download will also be included on the receipt sent to the email address you provide. The pdf download can be found directly under the order number. If you encounter any difficulty, please let me know and I can assist you. *Please contact me if you need to purchase using a purchase order. I am happy to help guide you in the process of adding Teaching Students with Visual Impairments as an approved vendor for your school or program or you can visit the product support page for information on using a PO. To develop mathematical concepts, students must have numerous and varied interactions with their environment - exploring, comparing, and arranging real sets of concrete objects - before they move to symbolic representations." |
