Blindness

Ten tips that can be Helpful to Blind Students in a University Environment

1. If writing on a whiteboard, read out as much of what you are writing as feasible and practical. For example, if you are writing up an important website or due date on the whiteboard; don’t forget to read it out.
2. If you are going to be watching a video or DVD in class, blind students will often appreciate advanced notice if possible so they can arrange to have someone describe the video to them or try and obtain an audio-described copy if available. This does not mean that the blind student can’t participate in the class as every other student would.
3. If you are preparing a handout prior to a class, make sure you email a copy to the blind student! There is nothing more frustrating than turning up to a class and not being able to participate because you do not have access to the worksheet.
4. Having lectures recorded and available for download online can be very helpful for blind students, particularly if they miss anything during the lecture as they can simply re-listen to it at home. Note-taking can be slower for a blind person because they are simultaneously trying to process listening to their screen-reader and the lecturer.
5. If you are using PowerPoint slides, it is often helpful if they are available for download or if they can be emailed to the blind student upon the student’s request. This way, they are able to have the same access to the information that is on the PowerPoint but that was not verbalized in the class or lecture.
6. Many blind students may send their lecturing and tutoring staff a Disability Impact Statement. This is intended to assist staff by outlining the individual’s impairment and any modifications they may need. Students really appreciate it when staff read their statement and would much rather staff approach them if they have any questions or if they are unsure about anything rather than avoiding the student  out of awkwardness or uncertainty.
7. If a blind student has submitted you an assignment electronically (I.E via email) in most cases they will request that any feedback is given to them in the same format. Students find it extremely frustrating when they are handed back a printed page with feedback and comments that they are unable to read whilst they watch everyone else read their own grades! If possible, email the student their assignment feedback just before the class when you will hand the assignments back to the rest of the students. If this is not possible, email it to them after the class or at your earliest convenience.
8. It is not always necessary for a blind student to sit up the front of the class. Whilst this can be sometimes useful, other times it may have the opposite affect in alienating a student from the rest of his/her peers. If unsure, ask the blind student if they have any preferred place to sit. In some cases, for example, a preferred place may be close to a PowerPoint so that the student can plug in any required equipment. For other students however, seating is not an issue and they will simply prefer just to sit with their friends.
9. Sometimes technological equipment used by a blind student can appear complex and foreign as some of it is quite unique. If you have any questions about a blind student’s equipment, just ask. Most students will appreciate it greatly when a staff member demonstrates understanding or a desire to understand more about their technology and what works or doesn’t work for them.
10. Many blind people use scanning solutions or other adaptive technology to assist with their work. Students appreciate it when staff talk to them about what works with these or not as it can often seem illogical. Example, scanners don't like hand written material and screen readers may not like PDF files as many of these have been compiled from pictures of the text rather than the text itself.

Next: Things Blind Students want Teaching Staff to Know