A website for teachers who are blind or visually impaired.

Handling Classes and Projects

Before a student teacher steps into a classroom, they must take classes in the theories and strategies used in education. As a student with a visual impairment, you will have to plan for and arrange any accommodations which you require in a classroom. This might involve utilizing services offered by your university to students with disabilities, but it will also mean developing strong study, organizational, research, and communication skills.

Study and organizational skills

As a student with a visual impairment you will need to develop study and organizational skills which work for you. How you organize work and projects will depend on the format you use for reading. You may use the following organizational systems:

  • A computer or electronic notetaker with folders for each class you take and files named according to subject, date, or both
  • A binder for each class with materials in large print or braille
  • Labelling print handouts and other materials in large pritn or braille for easy access
  • Scanning print material to be saved as an electronic document or printed in an alternate format such as braille
  • Labelling print books and using paper clips or other methods for marking chapters or sections which need to be scanned

    • Research

    Research is also an importnat skill to develop as a student. Since most libraries are not accessible, you will need to develop some alterante strategies for conducting research. Being skilled in the use of adaptive technology can be a huge asset in allowing you to conduct research independently, because so much information is available online these days. Some strategies you may use for researching for term papers and class projects include:

  • Using a computer with adaptive software (a screen reading or screen magnification program) to search library catalogues online. many universities have a service where a list of books can be submitted to the library service desk to be retrived from teh shelves and put on hold for students with disabilites; check with your university library to find out if they offer this service.
  • Using a sighted reader to brose print materials at libraries and resource centres. Many universities provide readers through their services for students with disabilities.
  • Using a scanner and OCR software to scan print books and articles for more detailed reading and study with a screen reader or screen magnification program.
  • Utilizing a specialized library for the blind in your country to find resources available in alternate formats