Teaching Visually Impaired Children

by Ann Fairley, Co-Ordinator, Visual Services Local Education and Cultural Services Department

Your child may well reach some of his milestones at a different time than his peers because he may need to take a different route, but reach them he will.

You and your child will discover ways of communicating, which will sometimes be different but no less meaningful.

Your teacher will be able to allay some of your anxieties about your child's educational opportunities. With appropriate support, most blind children are able to attend their neighbourhood school or a local mainstream school with a specialist resource.

Sighted children learn by watching and imitating what others do and by day-to-day exposure to and interaction with a sighted world. Blind children do not have the same opportunities for this incidental learning, but your intervention can make a huge difference.

When you and your family and friends are choosing toys, 'look' at them with your eyes closed and try to assess what sort of feedback your child will get.

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