In this course, we explain how we see and look in detail at the different types of visual impairment, their causes and the implications for our learners. We also provide strategies and practical ideas for classroom adaptations that you can use to support learners with a visual impairment in the learning environment.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    An Introduction to Visual Impairment

    • Introduction and course structure

    • Course outline

    • Your expectations of this course

    • A: Introduction

    • B. Visual Impairments and their implications for learning

    • C. Identifying a visual impairment or loss

    • D. Classroom adaptations

    • E. Functional effects of a visual impairment in the classroom

    • F. Useful general classroom strategies

    • Quiz

    • Conclusion

    • Evaluation form

Instructor

Hirstwood Training Founder

Richard Hirstwood

Richard Hirstwood is the founder of and lead consultant for Hirstwood Training. He is passionate about enabling educators/practitioners to maximise the impact of delivering sensory learning opportunities, in a sensory room or other learning environments, with the resources available to them. He has developed innovative ways of delivering key skills and competencies via face to face training; coaching sessions; and hands-on work with teachers and teaching assistants; as well as creating bespoke portfolios of training videos for more than a hundred individual schools and settings. His extensive experience is based on practical knowledge, giving him insight into what works and what doesn’t in multisensory practice. Regular sessions with children and adults with autism and all additional needs in a variety of multisensory and classroom settings enable him to maintain this level of excellent practice.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the staff, parents and children from the following schools for their enthusiasm and permission to let us film them in action!

Kemball School, Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom

Nelson Park School, Napier, New Zealand

Fairhaven School, Napier, New Zealand

Thank you to Glenwood School, Benfleet, United Kingdom for letting us share shots of their tremendous classrooms.

Helen Dillon from Simply Sensory Training for her contribution and wise words.