discursion 6.4

The Classroom Setting for the Visually Impaired

Providing a student-friendly classroom especially for those who are visually impaired is a great challenge for educational institutions especially the teachers . It takes great effort for the teacher to establish a classroom setup that is suited for the needs , demands , and limitations of students with visual impairments . Consequently , it also takes much effort for visually impaired students to adapt themselves especially in moving around the classroom . Therefore , several arrangements and adjustments must be developed in to offer students who are visually impaired and their

families an assurance of quality learning and student-friendly classrooms that would facilitate the needs and limitations of their students

Moving around the classroom is one of the major issues involved when talking about the classroom setup and the visually impaired students Certain physical changes or alterations to the classroom setup may be the ultimate answer in addressing this problem . Students who are visually impaired may suffer different conditions such as partial or vision , etc (Fame , 2008 ) With these varied conditions and needs , and the classroom must be flexible enough to possess all that is necessary in accommodating students with varied visual impairments

From the beginning of classroom instruction , the classroom should already be set up for the students . From this day forward , the teacher should not make any changes to the set up of the classroom as changes or alterations may confuse the students , not to mention cause accidents (Center for Teaching and Learning , 2001 ) Students who are visually impaired also utilize different instructional aids and equipments that help them adapt or accommodate themselves into the structure of the classroom . This includes walking sticks or canes , brailles , even guide dogs , etc (Fame , 2008 ) The classroom should provide a vast space for these instructional aids and equipments , especially for guide dogs

Moreover , the classroom should be arranged in such a way that most of the students may sit in front of the class near the teacher . This is helpful for them to hear what the teacher is saying , especially because visually impaired students are able to do their activities and follow instruction by listening to what the teacher is saying . Because of this the classroom environment should be quiet enough to facilitate listening in the classroom . Doors should be closed in to shut off unnecessary noise . Perhaps , the teacher may ask other students to refrain from making any unnecessary noise in for the students to hear what the teacher is saying without any disruptions (Center for Teaching and Learning , 2001 ) Other strategies that would be helpful in facilitating movement for the visually impaired is to arrange the seats in such a way that it nearest the door . In addition , the tables or chairs in the classroom should accommodate all the instructional aids and equipments in to prevent the student from standing up to get what he needs during classroom instruction . Other school facilities such as the comfort room , the school cafeteria , etc . should be nearest to...