Borrowing again from real life -- the best way, yes? I got an e-mail from someone looking for ways to adapt their program for a child with a visual disability -- very low vision. By God's grace and an enthusiastic friend, I have become aquainted with a new Catholic, who happens to work at our area's Center for Independent Living. He also happens to have a visual impairment himself. Perfect! So, I checked with him. What do you do? Lets see what he says:
He lists four suggestions:
He lists four suggestions:
1) In general, you can go to www.ilru.org to find your closest Center for Independent Living. The locations are under "Directory of Centers." The staff there is a good resource (secular, but willing to work with us) for information and referrals, among other things.
2) For materials that need to be read, either blow them up to a large enough font size for the child to read, or tape record the materials for them, so they can listen at home.
3) When you have a program that relies on a lot of visuals (pictures, skits, etc.), have the teacher describe what is happening with words as well. For example, if the class is looking at a picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the teacher should say something like, "In front of us is a picture of Jesus surrounded by lots of lambs...." If there is a skit, the narrator could read the stage directions in addition to the dialogue. My friend stressed that this be made part of the lesson -- that the teacher does not single-out the student with the visual disability. If the teacher feels it is important, s/he could explain once to the class that she will be describing all visuals for the sake of that student, but should not say, "James, I'm holding up a crucifix." "James, the kids are waving their hands in the air..." It should be directed at everyone. "I'm holding up a crucifix." "Okay, kids, wave your hands in the air..."
4) If you watch a video, someone should sit next to the child with the visual disability and whisper quietly what is going on visually in the video.
There is no need to dramatically change your lesson plans or cancel anything you do. It can be adapted.
Wow, I know some cool people.
Blessed be God!
Wow, I know some cool people.
Blessed be God!
