Impact of Visual and Hearing Disabilities
Running Header: Impact of Visual and Hearing Disabilities
Essay
Describing the Impact of Visual and Hearing Impairments
Nelda Valerio
Class: SPE 526
Assignment: Module 6-Essay
Instructor: Dr. Smith
March 30, 2011
Abstract
Not to say the least from other types of disabilities, those with visual and hearing impairments face large challenges in life due these types of disabilities, especially those with severe impairment in this area. In milder cases, many of these students are able to learn in a mainstream classroom, however, many will have to attend special schools in order to receive education. Below is a summary on these impairments. In addition, an example of a lesson plan for teachers to utilized for such students with disabilities.
Impact on Visual Impairment Disabilities
Visual impairments are seen as a very challenging disability. According to our text book by William Heward, it states, that children with such disabilities will struggle with physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. For example, infants and children will struggle with comprehending the environment around them and relating socially. Babies will not have the drive or desire to move about because they do not understand the visual part of their environment. In addition, they opt not to move because they experienced pain when they move due to bumping into things. In comparison, a child with sight will reach and move because they have the desire and or are driven by curiosity because of what they are visually seeing. Visually impaired children also experience social and emotional issues. They feel isolated and are excluded because others do not fully understand what the child can or cannot do. (Heward, 2009)
There are different types and degrees of visual impairments which are defined in the following areas Visual Acuity, Visual Field, and Ocular motor impairment. Visual acuity means how clearly a person sees from one and or both eyes. Visual Field means how well a person can see an area without moving their head from side to side. Persons with this impairment can experience “spots or poor vision” (NHBVI, 2011). Ocular Motor impairment means that the motor controls of eye(s) are affected and how the muscles lack in the ability to control eye