Visual Impairment

Definition A visual impairment may represent a physical diminution or complete loss of vision or the inability of a person to perceive what is viewed through the eye.  Such impairment may cause a student not to see or comprehend written material, which may include announcement of test dates, procedural information, and content of the examination of itself.  In addition, visual perceptual problems (which may include inability to discriminate figure or ground, sequencing and letter reversals, and similar shaped letters) may preclude comprehension of printed test materials and/or completion of a standard answer sheet or essay exam in the usual manner.

Documentation Guidelines A current letter or examination report from a medical doctor, optometrist or ophthalmologist, which details the degree of vision loss, including a statement of functional impact or limitation of the disability on learning or major life activity.

Potential Accommodations

·         Reader

·         Writer

·         CCTV

·         Tape Recorder

·         Enlarged Materials

·         Braille Printer

·         Computers with Scanners and Voice Synthesizers

·         Magnifiers

·         Enlargement Computer Programs - Zoom text

·         Seating in the front of the room without glare from windows

·         Clear black print on white or pale yellow paper for students with visual impairments

·         Talking Calculators

·         Extended Test Time