1. Miss Tara Breck

2. ~Menu~
Assistive
Technology for
Vision
Indiana School Microsoft Photosensitive
for the Blind Products Epilepsy

3. Indiana School for the Blind and Visually
Impaired
The Indiana School for the Blind and
Visually Impaired educates on-site
approximately 175 students in grades
preschool through high school with students
ranging from 3 to 22 years of age.
The School's focus as an educational
institution to this unique population is two
fold: first to teach students or who have
low vision how to master the Indiana core
curriculum at the level identified on each
student's Individual Education Plan and
also to work with each student through an
expanded core curriculum, one that
teaches students how to navigate their http://www.isbvik12.org/
physical, social and personal world.

4. Reflection
Every day I drive past the sign that says, “Indiana School of Blind” this way, and I
always wonder how the school helps children with visual impairments and
blindness. As I researched over the site I was surprised the most by the courses
offered at the school. They even have short courses where the student can stay at
his/her local school, but take a class in
* Braille
* Orientation & Mobility
* Computer & assistive technology
* Visual efficiency
* Study skills
* Independent living
* Career education
* Interpersonal skills
* Physical education
Treat children as though they are already the
people they are capable of becoming.
–Haim Ginott

5. ~Ah Ha Moment~
The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired was established in 1847. The
School has grown into an institution that provides educational resources that
include both a residential program and a day school, outreach services, and
consultative services to those in local agencies.

6. Microsoft Products
Guide for Individuals with Vision Impairments
- Vision difficulties and impairments include low vision, color blindness, and
blindness. Among adult computer users in the United States, 1 in 4 (27%) have a
vision difficulty. There are many options for individuals with vision difficulties to
modify their computer displays and appearance to make them easier to see, or,
alternatively, to receive information through sound or touch. Below are a list of
assistive technology programs people with visual impairments can use.
 Screen magnifiers
 Screen readers
 Speech recognition
 Speech synthesizers
 Braille embossers
 Talking word processors
http://www.microsoft.com/e
nable/at/

7. Microsoft has come out with different products to help users with
all different types of impairments. For example Microsoft has
made a key board specially made for the visually impaired.
As technology becomes more diverse it is helpful for these
students so they can learn and still complete their education.
As a future teacher it is important that all of my students have
the tools accessible to them so they have an equal
opportunity of learning and completing their school work.

8. The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) Provisional Report established that an
estimated 25.2 million adult Americans reported they either "have trouble" seeing, even
when wearing glasses or contact lenses, or that they are blind or unable to see at all.

9. Photosensitive Epilepsy
• Epilepsy affects more than three million Americans. For about 3
percent of them, exposure to flashing lights at certain intensities or
to certain visual patterns can trigger seizures. This condition is know
Photosensitive epilepsy. It is more common in children and
adolescents.
• To help control the seizures use:
-Computer Monitors
- A flicker-free monitor (LCD display or flat screen).
- A monitor glare guard.
-Wear non-glare glasses to reduce glare from the
screen.
-Take frequent breaks from tasks involving the
computer.
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/abo
ut/photosensitivity/

10. More and More
Reflection children are
needing glasses,
contacts at an
early age. As a
future teacher we
need to be aware
of students and
watch for signs that
they may need
corrective eye
wear.
Also in schools we
need to be fully
equipped with the
tools to help
reduce students
with photosensitive
Epilepsy.

11. A
h
h
a
M
o
m
e
n
t Seizures in photosensitive people may be
triggered by exposure to television screens due
to the flicker or rolling images, to computer
monitors, to certain video games or TV
broadcasts containing rapid flashes or
alternating patterns of different colors, and to
intense strobe lights like visual fire alarms.

12. Resources
 Hargis, E.R. (1996). Epilepsy foundation. Retrieved from
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/
 Indiana school for the blind and visually impaired. Retrieved from
http://www.isbvik12.org/
 Microsoft Corporation. (2009, December fourth). Assistive technology
products. Retrieved from http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/