Repost from 2022 - Please note that links to others pages from the "Removing Barriers" website are now archived. Please look in the Special Education section of this website for updates. 

Disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive list. My teaching is always adapting and changing. Additionally, you'll find other resources and more specifics on posts on this blog with the tag "Vision" and on the resources page of my website.
Welcome to the first installment in my series on working with all types of learners. I decided to create this series to (in no particular order) catalogue the things I was doing for reference and for the future, provide resources for teachers who may be new to working with various types of learners, and to help support advocates, teachers, and students in their educational journey. Today's installment will focus on supporting vision students.​

Today's blog post and resources focus on working with vision students. Like all disabilities and types of learners, there is a wide spectrum to what qualifies as a "vision student". Some students wear glasses, some have varying degrees of vision and legal blindness, and some have temporary or chronic conditions that may require different supports at different times. In my district, various schools have programs that focus on specific disabilities. Our school cluster (elementary, middle, high) houses the vision program for the district. We have dedicated TVIs who work with our students and provide a variety of life skills and classes in things like braille, and mobility. 

I am very happy to be personal and professional friends with our TVI and some of the paraprofessionals in this program. We work together closely to support students and I am really glad they are here! You will see references to them in this post as they have shared with me many ideas and resources that I use with my students. ​

This is a quick list of accommodations that I employ as often as possible. These are easy to implement and often require little to no extra materials. What would you add to the list?

1. American Sign Language - I use this when teaching new vocabulary and to provide visual input. ASL is its own language and should be treated as such, but it is also a great tool for muscle memory and providing a connection between various languages. 
2. Visual Schedule - Routine and expectations can be made clear using a visual schedule and labels in areas of the classroom. 
3.  Pause and Point - This is a commonly used Comprehensible Input tool. Whenever I am introducing new words, emphasising words, or repeating questions, I may pause and point to parts of the story, an image, or key words. 
4. Preferential seating - This means so may things. It isn't always proximity to the teacher or the front of the room. For some students, it can actually be proximity to the door, a friend/helpful student, the teacher's desk, or even to specific supplies. 
5. Large Print - It is very easy to print a story, test, or document in large print. 

Added 15 May 2024
Here are some more that I've added in the last school year. 

1. Frequent Check ins - Like preferential seating this can mean a lot of things. Some students prefer to write me notes while others ask to speak with me. However, when I initiate a quick check (for both SEL and academic reasons) I try to keep things simple and as undetectable as possible by other students. Some ideas can include:
   1. a hand signal - a 1-2-3 (1 meaning help) can be useful or a simple thumbs up or thumbs down.
   2. before class - I often use this check in to set expectations and goals for class. With an ESOL student who is struggling to use English we will go over some key phrases they might use during class. 
   3. Proximity - with some students, simply proximity to them can be a check in. When I do this, however, I try and check in visually with all students while they are working.