This brochure, realized by field professionals from the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind specialized in the support of visually impaired persons, should be considered as a toolbox offering the basis for the first steps with a visually impaired person. Lire la suite
Blindness and low vision lead to a set of consequences in everyday life and require various adaptations so that visual impaired persons grow in a secure, rich and appropriate environment. This brochure, realized by field professionals from the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind specialized in the support of visually impaired persons, should be considered as a toolbox offering the basis for the first steps with a visually impaired person.
Theoretical and practical elements are addressed throughout the reading in order to help professionals who care for these persons in daily reality from an educational point of view as well as on rehabilitation and academic skills.
This book is English translation from an initial French version.
With the contribution of Gwénola Amyot, Anne Bické, Stéphanie Cassel, Régine Gréant, Dr Christine Kestens, Valérie Leloup, Pierre Muraille, Ana Navarro, Anne-Françoise Rens, Cécile Sermon, Damien Talbot, Ariane Van Luchene, Damienne Vernier
WHAT IS VISUAL IMPAIRMENT? ..................................................... 7
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 9
1. The functioning of the vision .................................................................... 9
2. Refraction disorders ................................................................................ 12
3. Various aspects of the visual function ..................................................... 14
4. Definition of the visual impairment ........................................................ 17
5. Various types of visual impairment ......................................................... 17
5.1. Blurred vision .......................................................................................... 18
5.2. Reduced peripheral vision ....................................................................... 19
5.3. Reduced central vision ............................................................................ 20
5.4. Vision with multiple scotomas ................................................................. 21
5.5. Reduced visual field of cerebral origin ................................................... 22
6. Compensatory strategies used by visually impaired persons .................. 23
6.1. The other perceptive modalities .............................................................. 24
6.2. The cognitive strategies ........................................................................... 25
THE ADAPTATIONS ..................................................................... 27
1. How to adapt one's behavior facing a visually impaired person ............ 31
2. How to adapt an activity .......................................................................... 32
3. Daily life activities .................................................................................. 33
88 Fi rs t s teps wi th a visual ly impai red pers on
3.1. Hygiene .................................................................................................... 33
3.2. How to put away one’s clothes ................................................................ 34
3.3. Laundry and pressing .............................................................................. 34
3.4. Shopping .................................................................................................. 34
3.5. Meals ....................................................................................................... 35
3.6. Preparing meals ...................................................................................... 36
4. Movements .............................................................................................. 38
4.1. Security .................................................................................................... 38
4.2. Orientation .............................................................................................. 39
5. Adaptations of the environment .............................................................. 40
5.1. Well-structured and tidied up space ........................................................ 40
5.2. An accessible signage .............................................................................. 41
5.3. An adapted lighting ................................................................................. 43
5.4. Obstacles and ridges detectable via visual and tactile sense .................. 43
6. Optical, technical and computer aids ...................................................... 47
6.1. Optical aids ............................................................................................. 48
6.2. Technical aids .......................................................................................... 50
6.3. Computer aids ......................................................................................... 52
7. Reading and writing ................................................................................ 56
7.1. The means of compensation and adaptation for the visually impaired
person ...................................................................................................... 56
7.2. Compensation and adaptation ways for blind and severely impaired
persons ..................................................................................................... 59
8. Mathematics ............................................................................................ 64
8.1. Preschool/kindergarten primary education ............................................. 66
8.2. Basic primary education .......................................................................... 66
8.3. Secondary school education .................................................................... 70
9. Adapted leisure activities ........................................................................ 75
9.1. The adapted game .................................................................................... 75
9.2. Tactile books ............................................................................................ 77
9.3. Adapted sport........................................................................................... 78
9.4. Cinema ..................................................................................................... 79
Table of contents 89
SUGGESTIONS TO GO FURTHER… ............................................... 81
1. Interesting websites ................................................................................. 81
2. Reading suggestions ................................................................................ 82
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................. 87