Visual Limitation

The totally blind student is a small minority; most students are considered “legally blind." Even with correction, a legally blind person's best eye sees less at 20 feet than a normal eye sees at 200 feet.

Students who have been blind since birth have no visual memories. Mobility skills may vary depending on mobility training and talent. Some students may use Braille with confidence, but many do not use it. Many students with visual impairment can acquire information through listening. Some may be competent typists, but lack written communication and spelling skills due to their dependence on audio information. Last minute assignments can present problems due to the preparation and reader scheduling needs.

Common accommodations which instructors may offer students with visual impairments include; seating arrangements near the front of the class, alternative formats for written materials (i.e. enlarged syllabus), expanded explanations of visual aids in the class, copies of in-class notes and overheads, books on tape, note-takers, extended time on exams, and/or use of tape recorders.