Visual Impairments

Types of Visual Impairment

Visual impairment is a broad term that includes the range of visual problems from refractory problems to blindness. Refractory problems (nearsightedness, farsightedness,etc) are easily corrected. Blindness has no cure.

Students who are blind or have low vision (some functional vision exist, but not enough to gain information without significant assistance) need a lot of assistance in order to succeed in general education classrooms.

Since many visual problems develope over time, teachers should be on the look-out for students who are developing problems. Symptoms include squinting, holding books close to eyes, dizziness, rubbing eyes excessively, and complaining that he/she cannot see well. Such students should be referred for vision assessments by a professional.

Internet Resources for the Visually Impaired

• Audio Description - involves the accessibility of visual images of theater, media, and museum exhibitions for people who are blind or have low vision.
• Blind Net
• Blindness-Related Emailing Lists - subscribe to over sixty-five blindness-related emailing lists directly from this comprehensive hypertext index.
• Blindspots - movie reviews for visually impaired people
• Eye-Can - project that teaches photography to visually impaired students. Includes Virtual Gallery, How a Camera Works, and Useful Links
• Magoo's World - A "sight" for the visually impaired with some interesting info on the eyes for everyone.]
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
• Outpost - a virtual cornucopia of links and information for the blind and visually-impaired!
• Resources for Parents and Teachers of Blind Kids - info on homeschooling.
• Teaching Math to Visually Impaired Students
• Vision Impairment - What do vision impaired people see? Read about their lives and learn the causes of blindness
• WGBH's Descriptive Video Service - making television and videos more accessible to people who are blind or have visually impaired.
• Blind Related Links
• Blindness Related Resources
• In the Blink of an Eye - links for the visually impaired to software/hardware, causes and descriptions of blindness, societies and organizations.
• Pat's Disability Resource Page - with a special focus on blindness.
• Resources for People with Print Disabilities
• Worldwide Virtual Community of the Disabled: Blindness - links to blind-related sites, personal and otherwise. Resumes and profiles also hosted for free.

Links to organizations

• American Council of the Blind
• American Foundation for the Blind (2)
• Art Through Touch - providing arts activities for blind and visually impaired people.
• Associated Services for the Blind
• Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired - renders support to the professionals who work in all phases of education and rehabilitation of blind and visually impaired children and adults.
• Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired - a non-profit organization that strives to serve the visually impaired and to promote the prevention of blindness
• Association of Blind Piano Tuners
• Blind Children's Learning Center - developing the full potential of children and youth with a visual impairment.
• Blind Childrens Center - information and publications for parents and professional working with blind and handicapped children.
• Helen Keller International - blindness prevention organization with programs targeting onchocerciasis, trachoma, primary eye care, childhood blindness and micronutrient malnutrition.
• International Blind Sports Association (IBSA) - represents blind sports all over the world.
• International Monovision Association - world-wide non-profit organization of monocular, single-sighted persons who inspire each other and who are dedicated to saving children's eyesight.
• Lighthouse, Inc. - assists people with vision loss to develop the skills needed to lead productive, independent lives.
• Massachusetts Association for the Blind - Braille and recording transcription, volunteer services. Store providing products for the visually impaired.
• National Association for Visually Handicapped - works with people worldwide dealing with the difficulties of vision impairment
• National Federation of the Blind
• National Industries for the Blind - not for profit organization dedicated to furthering the interests of people who are blind or otherwise visually impaired.
• Parents of Blind Children, Long Island, NY Chapter - national organization dedicated to the creation of a climate of opportunity for blind children in home, school and society.
• Prevent Blindness America - Encourages proper eye care and vision safety.
• Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (2)
• Rose Resnick Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired - includes class schedule, programs and services, newsletter and volunteer opportunities
• Sight and Hearing Association - dedicated to preventing the needless loss of vision and hearing through effective screening, education and research