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Services For Students who are Blind or Vision Impaired - Information for Teaching Staff

There are many students with a vision impairment studying at the University. While a few of these students are blind, the majority have low vision.

This may not always be obvious to the observer. However, most students with significant vision impairment will require specific assistance in order to manage their learning. The type of assistance required will vary according to the degree and nature of their impairment. Some may experience blurred or distorted vision, others may lose side vision, central vision or see only half the field of view. Some may have severe problems with glare.

Guiding a Student

Students who have vision impairment may indicate that they would like to be guided. Never assume this is required. Ask if unsure then determine how they would like to be assisted. If more than verbal assistance is requested, the student will usually hold your upper arm, just above the elbow, while you walk slightly ahead, indicating verbally any changes in surface, gradient or direction.

Keep the environment in which the student normally moves as constant as is practicable eg: do not move objects from their normal place without advising the student and keep corridors clear of obstacles. Doors should be kept either closed or open not partially open.

Assistance on Campus

The Disability Liaison Unit (DLU), in conjunction with the Facilities and Services Department, is working towards creating a campus which is more accessible to students who have a vision impairment. The DLU is available to support these students by providing access to:

  • adaptive technology on-campus, such as a computer with speech synthesiser and closed circuit television
  • written materials in alternative format such as braille, large print, disk or audio tape
  • personal readers
  • research or library assistants to locate and copy materials necessary for assignments and research
  • orientation and mobility training can be organised students who are accompanied by guide dogs or who use a cane. (Many students with low vision adapt to a familiar environment and do not require a mobility aid).

Examinations

Students who are blind or vision impaired usually require alternative examination arrangements. These can include having examination papers prepared in alternative formats, (braille, audio tape, large print), the provision of extra reading and / or writing time, (this varies but may be as much as double time for students with severe vision impairments), and, if adaptive technology is required, sitting the exam in a separate room.

The Disability Liaison Unit needs to be consulted if papers are required in alternative format, other than large print, as this is organised with the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind and can take some weeks. Examination papers, which are required in braille format, need to be received by the DLU approximately six weeks prior to the exam date to allow for the brailling process.

The DLU will discuss appropriate alternative examination arrangements with the student and liaise with the Department or Faculty regarding approval of these.

Assistance in Lectures and Tutorials

BEFORE the semester:

  • provide reading lists early to allow time for taping and / or brailling of texts. Preparation in braille or audiotape usually takes 8-12 weeks, thus planning well-ahead is essential if the student is to have texts available at the commencement of the semester.
  • aim to meet the student with low vision prior to the commencement of classes. Some students are able to provide a copy of their individual vision statement that sets out how their impairment impacts on their study requirements and advises a range of strategies that may assist the student.
  • if a student who is blind or vision impaired requires material in alternative formats such as braille, audio or large print they are required to provide the DLU with copies of their textbooks or reading material at least 8-12 weeks before the commencement of semester. The material is then forwarded to the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind to produce. However, there is no guarantee that the material will be provided within the 12 weeks.

BEFORE the lecture or tutorial:

  • distribute copies of overhead materials to the student if this has been requested
  • ensure the student is notified of organisational changes - she/he will not be aware of messages left on noticeboards or changes in lecture venues pinned to lecture theatre doors
  • ask the student if assistance is required - do not presume that help is needed or that it will be readily requested

DURING the lecture or tutorial:

  • express yourself simply, clearly and in a normal voice
  • stand where glare is minimised, if the student is partially-sighted
  • identify yourself by name in case the student does not recognise your voice
  • indicate verbally when you are entering or leaving the students' presence
  • express written information verbally eg. when viewing overheads or writing on the board
  • give directions in words not gestures
  • verbally express your feelings as the student may not be able to see your body language
  • ensure information is provided in appropriate formats - enlarged copies of the required size, braille or audio tapes
  • tell the student if planning to use a video
  • discuss alternative ways to approach information that may be missed eg. ask a sighted student to watch the video with the student and to describe the visual aspects.

If videos are to be used on a regular basis, arrange for the Disability Liaison Officer to employ an assistant to view the video with the student at an alternative time.

Remember to discuss directly with the student his/her individual requirements.

Library Assistance

Library assistance can be provided by staff to enable students with a vision impairment to access library materials.

Adaptive Technology Rooms

A range of computer assistive software and hardware is available to students who are Blind or vision impaired in adaptive technology rooms located in each of the main libraries on each campus. This technology is only available to students who are registered with the Disability Liaison Unit. Software includes screen magnification, screen reader and voice dictation software.