Vision+Impairment

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= //**Vision Impairment**// =



**Definition:** Visual impairments can vary from partially sighted, low vision, legally blind, and totally blind. These impairments range in severity and causes. These impairments derive from a functional loss of vision. Some common causes include:
 * retinal degeneration
 * albinism
 * cataracts
 * glaucoma
 * muscular problems
 * corneal disorders
 * diabetic retinopathy
 * infection

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 * Assistive Technology for the Visually Impaired in the Classroom **

There are many tools that can be used in the classroom to help the visually impaired or blind
 * Enlarging texts, such as books, calendars, and worksheets
 * Enlarged and/or Braille keyboards for the computer
 * Using Braille (system of raised dots that represents letters and words on text)
 * Using Accessibility tools on [|Windows] and [|Mac] to use text-to-voice settings, changing the contrast of a screen, enlarging the text of the screen, and enlarging the mouse pointer
 * Magnifying tools for computer screens and textbooks
 * Speech recognition software and applications, such as [|Dragon Dictate], help the student use his/her voice to create text



**Assistive Technology in Action: Accessibility Tools and Software used at the Berklee College of Music**

Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts is one of the most prestigious music schools in the world. The clip following this passage displays several young men in a technology lab for the visually impaired. They are playing and composing music- during the video, one student uses text-to-speech software that dictates what is displayed on the screen.

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Sources: Dell, A., Newton, D., & Petroff, J. (2012). // Assistive technology in the classroom //. (Second Ed ed.). New York, NY: Pearson. // National Dissemination Center for Students with Disabilities. // (2012). Retrieved from []