Perspectives of Visually Impaired Students An Overview Sharron Sturgess University Disability...
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Transcript of Perspectives of Visually Impaired Students An Overview Sharron Sturgess University Disability...
Perspectives of Visually Impaired StudentsAn OverviewPerspectives of Visually Impaired StudentsAn Overview
Sharron Sturgess
University Disability Officer
Sharron Sturgess
University Disability Officer
DANS
What is a visual impairment?According to the RNIB
A person can register as severely sight impaired (blind) if they can only read the top letter of the optician’s eye chart from three metres or less.
A person can register as sight impaired (partially sighted) if they can only read the top letter of the chart from six metres or less.
DANS
The RNIB goes on to say:
“There are around two million people in the UK with a sight problem, i.e. that while wearing glasses they are still unable to recognise someone across the road or have difficulty reading newsprint.
Among these two million people, over 370,000 are registered as blind or partially sighted. There are another 20% who are eligible for registration but have not done so.”
DANS
Common causes of sight problems
Some people will be affected by a sight problem from birth.
Others may inherit an eye condition.
Some people may lose their sight as the result of an accident.
Illness can lead to conditions such as diabetic retinopathy.
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Cont…
Some ethnic groups are at a higher risk of acquiring certain eye conditions. Socio-economic factors, Trachoma, responsible for 15% of the world’s blindness, is caused by poor hygiene and inadequate sanitation.Age-related eye conditions, 95% of people with sight problems in the UK are 65 or over.
DANS
What do VI people see? According to the RNIB
Being blind does not always mean that a person is living in total darkness. 49% of blind people and 80% of partially sighted people can recognise a friend at arm’s length.Around one-fifth of people who are registered blind have some light perception vision or lower. The rest will have some useful sight.
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Furthermore…
Different eye conditions affect sight in different ways for example:
Glaucoma can result in tunnel vision, where all side vision is lost and only central vision remains. Diabetic retinopathy can cause blurred and patchy vision. Macular degeneration can lead to a loss of central vision whilst side vision remains.
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Who are our VI students?
UCAS code 2 declarations may include;
Registered BlindRegistered Partially SightedColour blindIrlens syndromeThose who have correctable sight conditions such as short sightedness
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Cont…
But VI students also include;
Those who lose their sight during their studiesThose whose sight continues to deteriorate beyond a point at which they can study without supportThose who don’t declare because they don’t know support is available, for example international students
DANS
What are their support needs?
Need to consider:
Previous educational background
Previous level of support
The course of study
DSA
Non educational needs
Being a student
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Previous educational background
Visually impaired school children
Pre 1990sSegregated
Education in a Special school
1990s Integrated unit attached to a
mainstream school
TodayInclusion in a
mainstream setting
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Previous support
Resources
Use of humansupport
Exam Concessions
Use of Technology
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Course of study
Placement
Use of visualresources
Teaching methodology
Practicals
Assessment
Course of study
DANS
DSA – Where are they in the process?
Evidence
Application
Assessment of Needs
LEA Approval
Equipment/Support in place
DANS
Non-academic needs
Accommodation
Mobility and Orientation
Practical issues
Financial needs
Mental health issues
Social integration
Transport issues
DANS
Money
Academic success
Home sickness
Relationships
Health, physical, mental and sexual
Being accepted
Making friends
Accommodation
Workload
Taking responsibility for yourself
A student first
Common problems all students face regardless of impairment or additional need: