Forever, and ever, and ever learning about others...

The PowerPoint lessons that we have to teach in class coincidently were discussed in my Special Education class (read project) approximately two weeks ago and having recently been assigned the subject of researching how students with low vision and blindness learn was amazing. Oft times we (people with normal vision, etc.) don't stop and take the time to learn about and consider those who are different. What I learned from this project is that:

• Although many people do not realize it, the vast majority of people with visual disabilities use vision as their primary method of learning.
• How students are able to learn is directly influenced by their residual vision, or the amount of vision they have left that can be further developed. Residual vision can be affected by the following factors:
  Day to day
  Time of day
  Setting
  Illumination level
  Distance
  Contrast
  Color (esp. for those suffering from color-blindness as well)
• Students with low vision read print and typically access the general education curriculum alongside their peers with disabilities. Most however do require accommodations and some extra assistance form classmates and teachers; these accommodations can include large print texts and handouts, magnifying devices, audio/speech devices, adjusted seating arrangements, etc.

Such simple accommodations have been instrumental in the high success rates of students with this difficulty and today approximately 54% of students with visual disabilities spend over 79% of their school day in general education classrooms. Barring any coexisting disabilities, they tend to perform well academically; this is reflected in their having the highest graduation rates of all high school students with disabilities.