Use recommended approaches to support access to information
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Key areas to support’
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Describe the visual
Describe the visual
Verbalise your instructions as much as possible and be very descriptive in your directions so you are filling in visual gaps with words. Your instructions need to be understandable and relevant to all students.
Support concept development
Support concept development
Hands-on experiences support understanding.
Provide multiple opportunities to revisit a new idea or concept.
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Approaches to support reading tasks
Approaches to support reading tasks
Work closely with the Resource Teacher of Vision, the learning support coordinator and student to ensure appropriate supports are in place.
- Location – preferred place in classroom, lighting source
- Presentation of materials – contrast, low-clutter, masking
- Lighting – glare, too much light, not enough light
- Ergonomics – posture, desk, seat, slant board
- Safety issues in the classroom – cords, furniture and equipment placement
- Alternative workspaces, for example, quieter spaces
Tailor formats
Tailor formats
With the support of the student’s Resource Teacher of Vision, discuss with the student what multimedia approaches might work best for them.
- Paper: regular print, enlargement of small amounts of text, large print text, handheld magnification, video magnification, reading guides.
- Digital: plain text with no enhancements, tracking support, changing text or background colours, magnifying text or the entire screen, auditory supports.
- Audio: a person reading, MP3 players, podcasts, audio books and video.
Be alert to vision fatigue
Be alert to vision fatigue
Vision fatigue makes it more difficult for students to learn.
- Alternate activities that rely on vision with activities that don’t.
- Minimise the need to flick between near and distance work.
- Encourage students to look up and into the distance to relax their eyes after reading.
- Encourage older students to use quiet spaces and rooms for self-managed breaks.
- Give students extra time.
Useful resources
Useful resources
Reading strategies for students with visual impairments: A classroom teacher’s guide
Read time: 22 min
A comprehensive illustrated resource.
Publisher: Paths to Literacy
Dance mat typing
A BBC typing programme, in the form of a game, that has been used to effectively support students with low vision.
Publisher: BBC
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Key areas to support”:
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Current page Support access to information
Return to the guide “Low vision and learning”
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