Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
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VI Assistive Technology

By Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated: April 12, 2020
​
Any adaptive device or service that increases participation, achievement or independence for a student with a disability may be considered assistive technology (AT). Assistive technology helps students who are visually impaired (with and without additional disabilities) increase their access to the general curriculum and improve their academic performance. It is important to thoughtfully consider what devices, tools and technologies will be appropriate to meet the student's individual and unique learning needs. AT devices should not give students an unfair advantage, but instead, should provide them with the independence to compete effectively with peers.

VI Assistive Technology

There is a wide variety of assistive technology specific to persons who are blind or visually impaired. This page provides resource lists of low tech and high tech devices that can be used with persons who are blind or have low vision. ​Within this section you can learn more about: ​​
  • Overview of Assistive Technology
  • ​Non-Optical Low Vision Devices
  • Low/Medium Tech for Tactual Learners
  • Optical Devices for Near
  • Optical Devices for Distances
  • Video Magnifiers
  • Screen Enlargement & Readers
  • Braille Technology
  • Tactile Graphics Technology
  • ​Auditory Access Devices
  • Braillewriter Repair

Apps for Individuals with Visual Impairments or Blindness

There are a number of great apps to use with students. Apps that you will find here are those that I have used myself, have been rated well on applevis.com (a community of persons who are blind or visually impaired that trial and rate apps) or have seen featured in conferences. 
  • Note Taking Apps 
  • Apps for Accessing Books
  • ​Identification Apps
  • ​Navigation & Location Apps
  • ​Braille Apps
  • ​Magnifier Apps
  • ​Sound Making Apps
  • ​​Cause & Effect Apps
  • ​Vision Skills Apps
  • Apps for Early Learning
  • ​Read to Me Apps
  • ​​Apps for Communication
  • Android Apps​​​

Assistive Technology Instruction

Students will need instruction in the use of, features of and proper care of various types of assistive technology. This page provides information on the instructing students in the use of AT. Within this section you can learn more about: 
  • Video Magnifier Instruction
  • Notetaker Instruction
  • Accessing Audio Books
  • Navigate Computer without a Mouse
  • Word Processing and Shortcuts
  • ​Keyboarding Instruction

iOS Accessibility

iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads can be excellent tools to providing access to individuals who are blind or visually impaired and can also be wonderful tools for instruction. This section provides information on built in features that make the iOS device a perfect tool for many individuals with visual impairments. Within this section you can learn more about: ​
  • iPads as Instructional Tools
  • Making the iOS Device Accessible
  • iOS Accessibility Resources
  • ​VoiceOver

Assistive Technology Assessment

The majority of students who are blind or visually impaired will need some form of assistive technology in order access print on paper as well as electronic forms. Assistive technology (AT) also provides a means for producing written information. Each students unique visual and learning needs must be considered when selecting the appropriate technology.. This page provides information on the components of the Assistive Technology Assessment.

VI Assistive Technology Resources

This page contains information on Assistive Technology Programs and Organizations that provide assistive technology support and resources to people who are visually impaired and those who work in the field of visual impairments.

Vendors

The vendors on this page specialize in materials and equipment specifically for people who are blind or visually impaired. Some products are available exclusively by the vendor while other materials are available commercially. ​​

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The mission of Teaching Students with Visual Impairments is to provide all persons involved in education students who are blind or visually impaired with the necessary resources to help each student become successful members of their communities and to equip those in the visual impairment field with resources to meet the wide range of needs of the students they serve. ​
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  • Home
  • Foundations of VI
  • Professional Practice
  • VI Service
  • Adaptations
  • VI Assistive Tech
  • ECC Instruction
  • About
  • Contact
  • VI Store & Gifts
    • VI Gift Shop >
      • Braille Jewely
      • VI Shirts
      • VI Drinkware
      • Vision Bags & Totes
      • Braille Greeting Cards
      • White Cane Tags/Keyrings
    • ECC Instructional Resources >
      • TVI's Guide Complete Set Bundle
      • TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC
      • Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency Worksheets
      • Visual Efficiency & Magnifier Fluency
      • Task Box Activities
      • Vocabularky Cards & Checklists
      • Interactive Sensory Stories
      • Interactive Matching Activities
      • Untitled
    • Purchase Recorded Presentations >
      • Presentation Complete Set of 16
      • Foundations of Teaching the ECC
      • Itinerant Teaching Strategies & Tips
      • Strategies & Activities for SIDPID
      • Strategies & Activities for MIMO
      • Job Tasks for Jobs, Career & Life
      • Strategies & Activities for Standard Course of Study
      • Accommodations for BLVI
      • Accessible Content for BLVI
      • Using Themes to Teach the ECC
      • Tips for Being a Physically Fit TVI
      • Conducting a FVLMA
      • Developing SMARTER Goals
      • Determining Service Intensity Using the VISSIT
      • Selecting the Right AT
      • The Art of Teaching the ECC
      • Activities to Teach the ECC
    • Job Postings
    • Product Support
  • Jobs
    • Post a Job
    • TVI, Jersey City, NJ
    • O&M Specialist, Jersey City, NJ
    • Consulting Teacher for Blind/Low Vision, Idaho
    • TVI or Dual TVI/COMS, North Carolina
    • TVI Portland & Brunswick, Maine
    • Assistant Director Edu. Services for Blind & VI, Maine
  • Paid Member Pages
    • Recorded Presentations
    • Complete Set Bonus
    • Interactive Sensory Stories
    • Interactive Matching Activities
    • Interactive Visual Discrimination Activities
  • Free Member Pages
    • Free Program Printables
    • Free FVLMA & Service Printables
    • Free VI AT Printables
    • Compensatory Goals
    • Sensory Efficiency Goals
    • Assistive Technology Goals
    • Social Skills Goals
    • Independent Living Goals
    • Recreation & Leisure Goals
    • Self Determination Goals
    • Career & Vocational Goals