What resources should Ms. Milton consult to learn more about Evan’s and Emily’s needs?
Page 4: The Professionals
In addition to gathering information from the student and the family, the classroom teacher should meet with the professionals, specifically the teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI) and the orientation and mobility (O&M) specialist. The teacher should schedule to meet with these specialists before the school year starts or as soon as he or she learns that a student with a visual disability will join the classroom. The TVI and O&M will advise the teacher about how best to arrange the classroom and how to effectively work with the student who has a visual impairment.
Support From the TVI
The TVI will be familiar with the student’s visual functioning and should be able to provide:
- Recommendations for the best seating options within the classroom
- Information about the equipment and materials that will be used by the student
- Assistance in determining the best location for equipment as well as in set up
- Details about when and where the devices should be used (e.g., if the student needs to carry them to each class or bring them home)
| Sample Questions for the TVI | |
| Can you describe the student’s vision loss and how it affects his/her functioning? | |
| Do you have any recommendations for where the student should sit in the classroom? | |
| What reading medium does the student use (e.g., large print, tape, braille)? | |
| What materials and equipment does the student use? | |
| When and where should the student use the given equipment and materials? | |
| Can you demonstrate for me how the student should use the equipment and materials? | |
| What format should I use for the student’s handouts, books, and other class readings? How much time is needed to put materials in this format? | |
| How will this student take class tests? What about standardized tests? | |
| What things should I take into consideration when making audio-visual presentations (e.g., overheads, videos)? | |
| What assistance can I expect from you? How often are you able to come to class? | |
| How much assistance will this student need? What type(s) of assistance will be needed? | |
| Can I expect this student to participate in all of the classroom activities? What about activities outside of the classroom? | |
| What suggestions relating to instructional strategies do you have? | |
| Do you have any resources or a list of references that might be of help? | |
| Is there anything else I should know? | |
Adapted from British Columbia’s Ministry of Education, Special Education Branch
(www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/visimpair/)
These questions are designed to obtain information to help you effectively include a student with a visual impairment in your classroom. The TVI will be able to provide assistance specific to the student’s needs depending on the type of visual disability he or she experiences. For example, if the student has low vision, the TVI may have specific suggestions relating to the use of color, contrast, and lighting for the arrangement of the classroom.
Assistance From the O&M Specialist
The O&M specialist will be able to describe the students’ current level of independent movement and travel skills within various environments. Students with low vision or those who are blind will learn travel skills at individual rates, so the O&M specialist is the best resource for informing the teacher of the techniques or travel aids that should be used as students move inside and outside of the classroom, whether at school or in the community.
The O&M specialist can also be a valuable resource for:
- Providing suggestions for furniture placement in the classroom
- Offering tips related to use of color, contrast, and illumination to facilitate the ease of the students’ movement to various places within the room (e.g., putting strips of brightly colored tape on steps to indicate level changes)
- Teaching the appropriate directional terminology to assist students in locating various destinations or materials within the classroom
- Orienting the students to the classroom and other significant locations on the school campus
| Sample Questions for the O&M Specialist | |
| Does the student use any O&M devices or equipment? | |
| When and where should the student use the O&M devices or equipment? | |
| Can you demonstrate how the student should use the O&M equipment or devices? | |
| What mobility skills should the student be using in the classroom? Can you demonstrate the skills the student should be using? | |
| Do you have any recommendations relating to the layout of the furniture in the classroom? | |
| What are the best methods for familiarizing this student with the classroom? | |
| What assistance can I expect from you? | |
| Will the student need any assistance traveling within the classroom? What type(s) of assistance will be needed? | |
| Will the student need any assistance traveling outside of the classroom? If so, what type of assistance? | |
| Will you be available to demonstrate Human Guide techniques for me and the other students? | |
| Do you have any resources or a list of references that might be of help? | |
| Is there anything else I should know? | |
Adapted from British Columbia’s Ministry of Education, Special Education Branch
(www.bced.gov.bc.ca/specialed/visimpair/)
These questions are designed to obtain information to help the teacher effectively assist students with orientation and travel skills.
Aid From Paraprofessionals and Other Professionals
Paraprofessional
A paraprofessional who works with students with visual disabilities will often have a title such as “teacher’s aide” or “teaching assistant.” This individual’s role is to provide instructional support, which may include working directly with students who are visually impaired (under the supervision of the TVI), or offering assistance with various classroom activities. Paraprofessionals only provide instructional support; they are not responsible for providing planned direct instruction or introducing new material. They typically provide reinforcement and practice opportunities for instruction previously introduced by the TVI or general education teacher.
Other Professionals
Other professionals who may provide ancillary support services for students with visual impairments include the braille transcriber and the assistive technology specialist. The braille transcriber converts print text (e.g., textbooks, exams, and handouts) into braille for students who are blind. This is particularly challenging because many textbooks have multiple pictures, charts, maps, and other graphics that must be described and presented to the reader in a clear manner. Some school districts may hire an assistive technology specialist who is knowledgeable about the various technological devices that are available for individuals with disabilities. The assistive technology specialists perform assessments to determine the most appropriate technological devices for students with visual impairments. He or she also provides training and support to students, the TVI, the general education teacher, and the parents.
