Typical Visual Stressors
Stressors
Keep an eye out for the following items, which are known for causing difficulties for students with vision problems:
- Small print
- Sustained near point work
- Crowded, close together, full pages of print
- Copying from chalkboard to paper on desk
- Writing before developmentally ready
- Flickering fluorescent bulbs
- Light color pens on overhead projectors or white boards
- Standardized scan sheets/Scantrons
- Timed tests
- Student reading aloud to a group without warning
- Not enough “wait time” before expected to give an answer
- Right and left instructions for students with poor directionality
- Requiring eye contact when spoken to
Relief
These modifications and supports can make life easier for students with visual challenges:
- Make larger print available
- Allow for visual breaks during sustained near point work
- Reduce the number of items on the page
- Allow students more time for copying from the board and/or move students closer to the chalkboard, or place material to be copied on his/her desk
- Furnish “fat” pencils and crayons or use special pencil grips
- Provide slanted reading surfaces
- Provide natural lighting and full spectrum bulbs
- Write large with dark ink on overhead projectors/white boards
- Provide students with a bookmark to help keep place when using a standardized scan sheet/Scantron, have someone fill in the sheet for the student or do not require the use of a scan sheet/Scantron
- Provide “highlighter” markers to help with reading
- Allow more time for timed tests
- Give students a choice about reading aloud to a group
- Recesses are very important for children with vision problems
This is a general listing of modifications for a classroom environment. After a child’s initial evaluation, the examining doctor will provide specific recommendations.
