Exceptional Children and Disability Information
Visual Impairments
The topics listed on visual impairments are individual websites that can be accessed only by members of The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE). If you are not a member of NAPCSE, and would like to join, click here to register. Members of NAPCSE, please log in above (member login and password) to activate these, and all other websites, in our database.
Visual Impairments Topic Categories
Introduction to NAPCSE's Visual Impairments Page
Visual impairment including blindness means an impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child's educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness.
The terms partially sighted, low vision, legally blind, and totally blind are used in the educational context to describe students with visual impairments. They are defined as follows:
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"Partially sighted" indicates some type of visual problem has resulted in a need for special education;
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"Low vision" generally refers to a severe visual impairment, not necessarily limited to distance vision. Low vision applies to all individuals with sight who are unable to read the newspaper at a normal viewing distance, even with the aid of eyeglasses or contact lenses. They use a combination of vision and other senses to learn, although they may require adaptations in lighting or the size of print, and, sometimes, braille;
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"Legally blind" indicates that a person has less than 20/200 vision in the better eye or a very limited field of vision (20 degrees at its widest point); and
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Totally blind students learn via Braille or other non-visual media.
Visual impairment is the consequence of a functional loss of vision, rather than the eye disorder itself. Eye disorders which can lead to visual impairments can include retinal degeneration, albinism, cataracts, glaucoma, muscular problems that result in visual disturbances, corneal disorders, diabetic retinopathy, congenital disorders, and infection.
The leading causes of visual impairment among infants and children are retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), cortical visual impairment, and structural ocular abnormalities, such as cataract and coloboma. These conditions occur during infancy and early childhood, when it is difficult to assess their effects on vision and quality of life. In addition, many of these conditions occur with increased prevalence in children with neurodevelopmental delay, further complicating the assessment of level of vision and the evaluation of quality of life.
The rate at which visual impairments occur in individuals under the age of 18 is 11.2 per 1,000. Severe visual impairments (legally or totally blind) occur at a rate of .06 per 1,000.
Many visual impairments can occur at any age, however, over two-thirds of those with visual impairment are over age 65.
More boys than girls are visually impaired. Additionally, increasing numbers of infants are born very prematurely and survive. These children are at high risk for multiple disabilities, including visual deficits, and will substantially increase the number of Americans with visual impairment.
The effect of visual problems on a child's development depends on the severity, type of loss, age at which the condition appears, and overall functioning level of the child. Many children who have multiple disabilities may also have visual impairments resulting in motor, cognitive, and/or social developmental delays.
A young child with visual impairments has little reason to explore interesting objects in the environment and, thus, may miss opportunities to have experiences and to learn. This lack of exploration may continue until learning becomes motivating or until intervention begins.
Because the child cannot see parents or peers, he or she may be unable to imitate social behavior or understand nonverbal cues. Visual handicaps can create obstacles to a growing child's independence.
Children with visual impairments should be assessed early to benefit from early intervention programs, when applicable. Technology in the form of computers and low-vision optical and video aids enable many partially sighted, low vision and blind children to participate in regular class activities. Large print materials, books on tape, and braille books are available.
Students with visual impairments may need additional help with special equipment and modifications in the regular curriculum to emphasize listening skills, communication, orientation and mobility, vocation/career options, and daily living skills. Students with low vision or those who are legally blind may need help in using their residual vision more efficiently and in working with special aids and materials. Students who have visual impairments combined with other types of disabilities have a greater need for an interdisciplinary approach and may require greater emphasis on self care and daily living skills.
- General Accommodations
- PDF file of accommodations
- Word doc. file of accommodations
- academic accommodations
- advocacy-how to do it- a primer
- Diagram of the Eye (National Eye Institute)
Also available in: Spanish - Normal Eye Anatomy (National Eye Institute)
- Assessment tools
- Braille and Speak and e-mail FAQ
- Connecting a Braille Lite or Braille ‘N Speak notetaker to a desktop PC
- technology links
- various types explained
- books with visually impaired characters
- Graph
- causes
- neurological Visual Impairment
- General characteristics, incidence, educational implications, resources and organizations.
- characteristics of cortical visual impairment
- "Vision Impairment" Quest
- My Friend Jodi Is Blind (Lighthouse International)
- Signs of Possible Eye Trouble in Children (Prevent Blindness America)
- Task Force Recommends Vision Screening for Children Younger Than 5 Years Old (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
Also available in: Spanish - What Is a Pediatric Ophthalmologist?
- Your Child's Vision (Nemours Foundation)
Also available in: Spanish
- types and degrees of visual impairments
- helpful tips and suggestions for teachers
- checklist for cortical visual loss
- early intervention
- magnification
- readers with visual impairments
- glossary
- community based instruction
- in the regular classroom
- orientation and mobility resources
- dealing with students with low vision
- social skills
- materials adaptations
- large print books
- electronic format
- curriculum adaptations
- challenges in teaching math to the visually impaired
- ideas for vision stimulation activities
- communicating with a blind person-first person article
- questions kids ask about blindness
- orientation and mobility resources
- inclusive strategies for math
- inclusion-good overview of preparation
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Blindness (National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Vision Disorders (National Institutes of Health)
- Clinical Trials in Vision Research (National Eye Institute)
- Family and Friends Can Make a Difference! How to Help When Someone Close to You Is Visually Impaired (Lighthouse International)
- Frequently Asked Questions about FCC Provisions for People with Disabilities (Federal Communications Commission)
- Introduction to Adaptive Computer Technology (Lighthouse International)
- Living with Low Vision? 10 Steps to Ensure Your Independence (Prevent Blindness America)
- Low Vision Coping Resources: Adjustment Process (Foundation Fighting Blindness)
- Low Vision Coping Resources: Watching TV with Low Vision (Foundation Fighting Blindness)
- What Do You Do When You Meet Someone Who Can't See? (Lighthouse International)
- What Is Braille? (American Foundation for the Blind)
- definition of vision therapy
- definitions
- Do You Have Low Vision? (National Eye Institute)
- Signs of Possible Eye Trouble in Adults (Prevent Blindness America)
Also available in: Spanish
- Directory of Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Persons (American Foundation for the Blind)
- Dog Guide Schools in the United States (American Foundation for the Blind)
- Eye Health Organizations Database (National Eye Institute)
- Financial Aid for Eye Care (Lighthouse International)
- Financial Aid for Eye Care (National Eye Institute)
- Find an Eye M.D. (Americam Academy of Opthomology)
- Finding an Eye Care Professional (National Eye Institute)
- Grants-in-Aid for Adaptive Equipment (Lighthouse International)
- Guide to Reading Options (Lighthouse International)
- Resources and Information for Parents about Braille (American Foundation for the Blind)
- Selected Resources for People with Low Vision (National Eye Institute)
Also available in: Spanish - State Libraries for Persons with Print Disabilities (American Foundation for the Blind)
- Getting the Most Out of Your Low Vision Experience (Foundation Fighting Blindness)
- Maintaining Quality of Life with Low Vision (American Occupational Therapy Association)
- Low vision FAQ
From the National Institutes of Health
- Frequently Asked Questions about Low Vision (National Eye Institute)
Also available in: Spanish - Questions to Ask about Low Vision (National Eye Institute)
Also available in: Spanish - What You Should Know about Low Vision (National Eye Institute)
Also available in: Spanish
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Genetics Home Reference: Alström syndrome (National Library of Medicine)
- U.S. Latinos Have High Rates of Eye Disease and Visual Impairment
- Consuming Interest: A Guide to Titles II and III of the ADA for People with Vision Loss (American Foundation for the Blind)
- Social Security: If You Are Blind How We Can Help (Social Security Administration)
- State Vocational Rehabilitation Services (American Foundation for the Blind)
- Teaching math to visually impaired students
- Resources for Parents and Teachers for children who are blind
- Eye Disorders
- Syndromes and Rare Diseases
- Preschool Children with Visual Impairments
- Links for Parents and Family
- Downloadable Braille Materials
- Selected Anomalies and Diseases of the Eye
- Calendar of Events
- Schools for the blind
- American Council of the Blind
- Lighthouse International
- National Federation of the Blind
- Prevent Blindness America
- American Foundation for the Blind
- Canine Companions for Independence
- National Library Service for the Blind
- National Association for Parents of Children with Visual Imparments
- American Foundation for the Blind
- American Optometric Association
- Foundation Fighting Blindness
- National Eye Institute
- Prevent Blindness America
Overview and General Information
- ERIC overview
- fact sheet
- Vision Impairment (National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities)
- glossary of terms
- vision therapy
- organizing your kitchen
- participating in your child’s IEP meeting
- Vision related services-Braille
- orientation and mobility resources
- recreation resources
- Eye Disease Simulations (National Eye Institute)
- Eye Examinations (National Eye Institute)
- Impairments to Vision (National Weather Service)
- Low Vision Devices (National Eye Institute)
- Low Vision Simulations (National Weather Service)
- How common is vision impairment?
- Checklist for Your Eye Doctor Appointment (Prevent Blindness America)
- Ergonomics Approach to Avoiding Workplace Injury (American Industrial Hygiene Association) Also available in: Spanish
- Healthy Vision
- How Often to Have an Eye Exam
- Statement on the Prevalence of Visual Impairment and How It Affects Quality of Life Among Hispanic/Latino Americans (National Eye Institute)
- U.S. Latinos Have High Rates of Eye Disease and Visual Impairment
Resources for Parents and Teachers on Braille
- Resources for Parents and Teachers on Home School
- Resources for Parents and Teachers on Toys
- Resources for Parents and Teachers on Math
- Resources for Parents and Teachers on Orientation and Mobility
- Resources for Parents and Teachers on Recreation
- Resources for Parents and Teachers on Technology
- Creating a Comfortable Environment for Older Individuals Who Are Visually Impaired (American Foundation for the Blind)
- Saving Your Sight--Early Detection Is Critical (Food and Drug Administration)
- Services for Older Persons Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired (American Foundation for the Blind)
- Vision Loss is Not a Normal Part of Aging (Lighthouse International)
- Common Eye Myths (Prevent Blindness America)
- Going to a Low Vision Center - What You Should Know and What to Expect (Foundation Fighting Blindness)
- Illuminating Solutions: Lighting and Low Vision (Lighthouse International)
- JAMA Patient Page:Causes of Visual Impairment (American Medical Association)
- Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)
- Quick Facts and Figures on Blindness and Low Vision (American Foundation for the Blind)
- Vision Problems in the U.S. (National Eye Institute) - Links to PDF File
Teaching Strategies for Students with Visual Impairments
- General Courtesy
- General Strategies
- Teacher Presentation
- Group Interaction and Discussion
- Text Reading Systems
- Field Experiences
- Research
- Testing
- Blindness Awareness (Dept. of Health and Human Services)
- Visual Impairment (Nemours Foundation)
- Visual Impairments
Transition Services - Click Here
- Eye Drops to Treat Childhood Eye Disorder Work As Well As Patching the Eye (National Eye Institute)
