Arlene Hernandez, Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1975 mandated a “free and appropriate” mainstream education for those with handicapping conditions.

An increasing number of visually impaired students have an additional handicap.

Mobility instruction helps instill confidence and greater self-sufficiency.

Older students are taught to use public transportation systems, gaining independence in preparation for life and work beyond school.

Some level of braille instruction is important for all ages.

SmartPhones provide a broad set of apps that can increase independence even for small children.  One SmartPhone app, BeMyEyes, will identify objects; Cash Reader will tell you what bill is in your hand; ColorGrab will tell you the color of your shirt.

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This program is also available as a video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W2fGO4H0qM

 

In this age of COVID-19 and distance learning, the traditional methods of teaching visually impaired students have been forced to change.  Distance learning is now more the rule than the exception in all grades.  This has forced us all to look at how we do things, and to ask new questions about whether it is time to change our way of doing things.

This is true especially for the education of blind and visually impaired students.  As we look at how we can adapt to this new world of distance learning, it is important to examine more closely our goals.  Why are we educating visually impaired and other young people in the classroom alongside their more fully-abled peers?  Is it only about compassion?

Or is it time to lay out our long-range goals …

  • Socialization, learning teamwork
  • Preparation for life and career
  • Learning to be as independent and self-sufficient as possible
  • Helping all students to learn acceptance and empathy and the value of differences

… and to ask ourselves if we are doing the best we can — with the modern tools now available — to meet those goals?  How can we improve?

Arlene shares insights from her experience as a teacher and her ongoing experiences as a coach among young adults.