The role of educational technology for visually impaired students has been written about and researched widely. Here are some of the key concepts identified by experts in the field of educational technology and blind or low vision learners:
Accessible Education for Blind Learners: Kindergarten Through Postsecondary
Shelley Kinash and Ania Paszuk
- designed to help users (students, parents, teachers, administrators or consultants) activate the benefits of infused technologies for learners who are blind or who have low vision
- defines what accessible education looks like for blind learners
- offers suggestions for web site accessibility
- discusses and recommends adaptive technology
Assistive Technology for Learning (ATL)
Alberta Ministry of Education
- defines ATL as the media, devices and services to help students with disabilities actively engage in learning
- informs decision-making about appropriate ATL for individual students through the SETT framework and Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT)
- lists resources for educators, school administrators and people working with students with special needs
Technology for Students Who are Visually Impaired
National Center to Improve Practice (NCIP)
- a collection of resources and information with general information, best practices and products that support students and their educational goals
Essential Components of Educational Programming for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
Alberta Education
- identifies the importance of assitive technology in the education programs of students who are blind or visually impaired
Use of Multimedia Presentations and Technology
American Foundation for the Blind
- determined the access challenges teachers of visually impaired students face and solutions they are using in the classroom
- looked at what was currently being used in classrooms with students
- identified recommendations for future consideration by teachers of blind students
A Beginner's Guide to Access Technology for Blind Students
International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind (IBTC)
- a description of the major products which provide access to the world of computing for blind users
- a list of where to purchase these products
Literacy Leaps as Blind Students Embrace Technology
Deborah Hartz
- looks at current classroom design, and suggests ways to infuse technology into all parts of the curriculum
- examines technologies used for reading or writing with students who are low vision or blind
- compares the use of Braille to the use of technology and their pros and cons
Implementation of Assistive Technology with Students Who Are Visually Impaired: Teachers' Readiness
Gerald Abner and Elizabeth Lahm
- identifies technologies currently used by visually impaired students and which areas teachers lacked training in
- suggests reducing technology barriers (which may include teachers) in assitive technology
The Benefits of and Barriers to Computer Use for Individuals Who Are Visually Impaired
Elaine Gerber
- presents data from four focus groups of blind assistive technology users
- looks at how individuals who are blind or visually impaired gather information about assistive technology
- reports on the group participants thoughts on the benefits of and barriers to computer use
- concludes by stating that "getting wired" should be an integral part of the core curriculum for visually impaired students
References
Abner, G. & Lahm, E. (2002). Implementation of assistive technology with students who are visually impaired: Teachers' readiness. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 96(2), 98-105.
Alberta Education (2006). Essential components of educational programming for students who are blind or visually impaired. Retrieved June 1, 2007 from http://ednet.edc.gov.ab.ca/K_12/specialneeds/ECEP_Blind_or_Visually_Impaired.pdf.
Alberta Ministry of Education (2007). Assistive technology for learning. Retrieved June 1, 2007 from http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/K_12/specialneeds/atl.asp.
American Foundation for the Blind (2002). Use of multimedia presentations and technology. Retrieved June 1, 2007 from http://www.tsbvi.edu/textbooks/afb/mm-factsheet.htm.
Gerber, E. (2003). The benefits of and barriers to computer use for individuals who are visually impaired. Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, 97(9), 536-550.
Hartz, D. (2000). Literacy leaps as blind students embrace technology. The English Journal, 90(2), 52-59.
International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind (2006). A beginner's guide to access technology for blind students. Retrieved June 1, 2007 from ttp://www.nfb.org/Images/nfb/Publications/fr/fr21/fr06ws12.htm.
Kinash, S. & Paszuk, A. Accessible education for blind learners: Kindergarten through postsecondary. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
National Center to Improve Practice (1998). Technology for students who are visually impaired. Retrieved June 1, 2007 from http://www2.edc.org/NCIP/library/vi/toc.htm.
