8.6: Identifying Students Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision
- Page ID
- 178848
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Different professionals are involved in identifying vision loss and treating vision problems, including ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who identify and treat eye problems, prescribe medication, and perform surgery. Optometrists examine eyes for defects and problems in refraction and prescribe corrective lenses. Opticians make or sell optical devices and instruments. A low-vision specialist is an ophthalmologist or optometrist who specializes in assessing and treating individuals with 20/70 vision or worse.
When appropriate screenings and medical care are provided, most children with blindness or low vision are identified before four months of age. In addition, periodic vision screenings are usually required for school-age children. However, once a student is identified as having blindness or low vision, a comprehensive assessment that includes the components of functional vision, learning media assessment, and orientation and mobility skills is required (Smiley et al., 2022).
Functional Vision Assessment
Functional vision is the use of any residual vision to obtain information from the environment. For example, a student who is blind or has low vision may use residual vision to read printed materials with magnification and to navigate their environment safely. Assessing how well students can use their residual vision in functional ways is critical for providing special education and related services to these students. Functional vision assessment examines visual and behavioral skills (Smiley et al., 2022). The Perkins School for the Blind has developed a Functional Vision Assessment Template for educators and clinicians. Functional vision assessments are conducted by educators or clinicians who are specially trained to perform them and interpret the results.
Learning Media Assessment
A learning media assessment is used to help educators and clinicians select appropriate learning media and assistive technology (Smiley et al., 2022). For example, some students are able to use printed materials with magnification or enlarged print, whereas other students may use braille (i.e., a system of raised dots that can be read with the fingers). In addition, some students may also use screen readers (i.e., software programs that allow users to read the text that is displayed on a computer screen with a speech). The National Reading Media Assessment is a helpful tool for conducting learning media assessments.
Orientation and Mobility Skills Assessment
Assessments of orientation and mobility skills address concepts such as spatial orientation and special physical education needs and can determine how familiar the student is with their classroom, school, home, and community environments. An orientation and mobility specialist may also assess a student’s use of special devices (e.g., a cane) (Smiley et al., 2022).
Smiley, L. R., Richards, S.B., & Taylor, R. (2022). Exceptional students: Preparing teachers for the 21st century (4th ed.). McGraw Hill.