First steps with a visually impaired person

Contents

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