Blindness or low vision encompasses a spectrum of vision experiences. A person's vision can be impacted in various ways, including central vision loss, peripheral vision loss and blurry or hazy vision. It is possible to be legally blind and still have some useful vision for specific tasks, such as a pinhole of vision that can be used for reading. Some people are able to sense light and shadow movements, whilst others may only have peripheral vision. While blindness or low vision can present challenges with everyday activities, the majority of these difficulties arise from societal barriers and accessibility issues rather than an individual's vision condition.
People who are blind or have low vision have some innovative ways to adapt to living in a visual world. These include using a white cane, a guide dog, or echolocation to navigate spaces. They may use handheld or electronic magnifiers to enlarge text and images. Screen reading software (such as JAWS, NVDA or VoiceOver) is very useful for listening to electronic text and navigating computers, phones and tablets. It is common to seek out tactile features to use as guides for many different activities - from crossing the road to using the microwave.
Each learner's eyesight challenges are as individual as they are. Even two students with the same condition will have very different visual experiences. It's essential to find out what tools and strategies each student uses so you can accommodate their needs.
Ask your student:
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