2. Jose
You are working as an ECE in a preschool room. Jose
(age 4) is a child with low vision who has just started
in your room. Jose has just moved to Toronto. He had
been in a childcare center in Winnipeg before his
father got transferred. Jose is an only child in a two
parent family, both parents work. Jose’s parents ask
you about services in the Toronto area.
3. Jose’s Needs
Financial help for family
Vision impairment
resources
New environment and
people
Unfamiliarity
Integration of different
materials and equipment in
the childcare environment
Inclusion of Jose in all
classroom activities with
adaptations made
4. Low Vision
People who have low vision are sometimes called 'legally
blind’. This term refers to severe visual impairment (not
necessarily limited to distance vision). Low vision exists when
a person's sight cannot be corrected to normal vision by
wearing eye glasses or contact lenses but the person has
some vision. They use a combination of vision and other
senses to learn, although they may require adaptations in
lighting or the size of print and sometimes Braille.
5. Changes to physical
environment: Sensitivity
Glare
Lighting
Fluorescent light is Children who are photophobic, may
generally better Jose, need to:
because it doesn’t cast
shadows Wear a hat
Teachers should adapt and Wear heavily tinted glasses outside
control lighting over a task
to ensure it is clear, well lit Wear lightly tinted or no tint Polaroid
and without glare glasses inside
Avoid reflected glare from white
Lights should be turned on tables and working areas or dirty or
in the play area and wet areas.
windows should not be
covered to allow the Avoid reflected glare from
maximum amount of whiteboards and computer screens.
natural light to enter the
room
6. Changes to the physical
environment:
Contrast Working Distance
Color contrast helps will help Jose to Jose should sit at the front of the
identify objects and outlines during group during activities such as
an activity and can also help with his story time. He may need to move
depth perception to the left or right side to
accommodate his vision.
Use colored paper that contrasts well
with the tabletop Ensure the Jose sits next to staff
during music time or other activities
Use crayons and paints that are when he needs to copy body
strong in color and provide good movements. The teacher may
contrast to paper need to demonstrate the
movement directly to Jose and
Glue sticks that are a different color: provide verbal information during
blue, pink, or green the activity.
During meal time, mats should be Jose should be encouraged to
boldly colored in contrast to the color scan large areas systematically
of the drink. and effectively so he doesn’t walk
into swings, bump into people, or
trip on objects in his pathway.
7. Changes to the physical
environment:
Time Safety
Jose may need additional The goal is to help Jose achieve
independence:
time to make sense of his
world and tasks. Mark Jose’s locker or pegs with a bright
ribbon or another shiny fabric
Jose may take longer to Encourage children to place everything
find details in pictures or back in the same place to uphold routine
and familiarity for Jose
complete a puzzle or to
find food on his plate. Encourage staff and children to be tidy
with drawers, cupboard doors and doors.
Jose needs time to adjust Doors should either be closed or open.
Half open doors are a safety hazard.
to changes in
environment, including Teach other children to ask for toys by
name before taking the toys to another
lighting. area
8. Teaching Strategies:
Shadows Peer Support
During an activity, Jose All children in the
needs to be positioned to
avoid shadows. classroom should be
encouraged to
Teachers should avoid introduce themselves
standing or sitting with their by name
back to the light source as
the child will only see a
silhouette. The children should be
prompted to tell Jose if
Jose must be given time for they are going to leave
his eyes to adjust to changes
in lighting conditions. the play area or if a
another child arrives,
Jose may need more time to or if people enter or
adjust to these changes so it leave the room.
is important to move slowly
from one area to another.
9. Teaching Strategies:
Participation Familiarity
Children with a lack of vision Jose may need to be shown the
location of activities before starting
are very good at avoiding the day. If Jose cannot see an
tasks they may find activity at the end of the room or
challenging. playground, he won’t be tempted to
try it.
Jose should continue to try Teachers should remember to move
these tasks he may find close to Jose when communicating
challenging and teachers so Jose knows who is speaking,
where and what is required
should make the necessary
adaptations Staff should reassure Jose explain
the new surroundings and give him
Jose should be encouraged detailed descriptions of where they
to keep trying and teachers are standing and what is around
them
should offer plenty of praise
and encouragement for The key is to help Jose become
achievements. familiar to the area so that he is
comfortable independently
10. Teaching Strategies:
Be specific Observations
Teachers should use Teachers should
specific language to
describe actions to Jose.
continue to observe
Replace "over there" and and record Jose and
"under there" with specific his behavior in the new
language such as "under environment
the table" and "on the
mat".
Teachers should be
Teachers must understand consistently building a
that inconsistencies in partnership with the
Jose’s behavior does not
mean that he is tricking or parents in order to help
lazy but may mean that the Jose reach
he is having difficulty with independence
the visual tasks
11. The Ontario Foundation for
Visually Impaired Children
Service areas: Durham Region ; Halton Region ;
Peel Region ; Toronto ; York Region
12. The Ontario Foundation for Visually
Impaired Children
“In collaboration with other involved professionals, a consultant will
develop a family-centered plan that addresses the developmental and
unique learning needs of children with a visual impairment, with or without
additional disabilities. Programming emphasis is placed on the unique
teaching strategies and learning styles of children with a visual impairment
to facilitate their over-all development, environmental access, and
interactions with their family and community.”
"OFVIC - Home." OFVIC - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ofvic.org/>.
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Eligibility: Ages: 5 year(s) and under. Diagnosis of a visual
impairment (Blind or have low vision) supported by an
Ophthalmologist's report
Referrals: Referrals are made through the Central West Blind -
Low Vision Early Intervention Program 905-855-3557
Fees: None
13. The Ontario Foundation for
Visually Impaired Children
Primary Contact: Location:
Lindsay Hillier, OFVIC's day school and
offices are located at
Program Director, the High Park Forest
Family and Community School in Toronto
Resource Program;
Phone: 416-767-5977 Website:
Email: http://www.ofvic.org/
lindsayofvic@look.ca
15. Canadian National Institute
for the Blind
“CNIB provides community-based support, knowledge and a national
voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially sighted have the
confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life. * services
include: counselling and training * services for children and families *
independent living skills * orientation and mobility * computer training *
consumer products * assistive technology * low vision services *
accessible design services * accessible text services”
"CNIB - Seeing beyond vision loss ." CNIB – Seeing beyond vision loss . N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.cnib.ca/en/>.
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4:30 pm (by appointment only)
Referrals: None
Fees: None
Languages: English ; Interpretive Services
16. Canadian National Institute
for the Blind
Address: Primary Contact:
Erindale Corporate Centre Cathy Tufts, Regional
Supervisor, Client
1270 Central Pkwy W, Ste Services;
100
Phone: 1-888-275-5332 ext
Mississauga, ON L5C 4P4 5367;
Email: cathy.tufts@cnib.ca
TTY Phone: 905-275-4409 Website: www.cnib.ca
Office phone: 905-275-
5332
18. Zonta Accessible
Playground
“Public park, owned and maintained by the City of Mississauga *
innovative, barrier-free play space for people of all ages and abilities to
play and explore together, in a public park * 'islands' offer distinct play
areas that stimulate the senses, including touch, scent, sight and
hearing”
"Zonta Club of Mississauga - Zonta Accessible Playground." Zonta Club of Mississauga. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.zontamississauga.org/zap.htm>.
Eligibility: All ages
Location: 410 Rathburn Rd W. Mississauga, ON
Office phone: Mississauga Recreation & Parks 905-615-4100 or
311.
If calling outside City limits call: 905-615-4311.
TTY: 905-896-5151
Website: www.zontamississauga.org/zap.htm
19. City of Toronto Toronto
Preschool Speech and
Language Services
Service Areas: Toronto, Peel Region, York Region,
Mississauga, Waterloo, Niagara, Thunder Bay, London
20. City of Toronto Toronto
Preschool Speech and
Language Services
“The Blind – Low Vision Early Intervention Program services are
available to families who: live in Toronto, have a child from birth
until school entry, are concerned about their child's vision, have a
child that has been diagnosed by an ophthalmologist (a medical
doctor who specializes in eyes) as being blind or having low
vision”
“Welcome to Toronto Preschool Speech and Language Services." Welcome to Toronto Preschool Speech
and Language Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2012. <http://www.tpsls.on.ca/>.
Location:
Hours: Monday-Friday 830-430
Toronto Public Health
Office: 416-338-8255
225 Duncan Mill
Road, TTY : 416-338-0025
Suite Website: www.tpsls.on.ca
201, Toronto, ON,
21. City of Toronto Toronto
Preschool Speech and
Language Services
Eligibility: One or more of the following exists:
• Visual Acuity of no better than 20/70 in the better eye
after correction
• Visual Field restriction to 20 degrees or less
• A physical condition of the visual system which cannot be
medically corrected and as such affects visual functioning
to the extent that specially designed intervention is needed.
Referral: Children and families who require the services of the Blind –
Low Vision Early Intervention Program can be referred by calling
416- 338-8255 and/or faxing a Vision/Eye Report Referral Form
to 416-338-8511. Referrals may be made by anyone, however the
presence of one or more of the conditions listed above must be
confirmed by an Ophthalmologist.
22. Other Resources:
Ministry of Children and Community Care Access
Youth Services: Center:
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdo
cs/English/topics/specialneeds/sp http://www.ccac-ont.ca/
ecialservices/index.aspx
Contact: Contact: 310-CCAC (2222)
Toronto Region 477 Mount
Pleasant Road 3rd floor Child and Family
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1G1 Benefits:
Tel.: (416) 325-0500
http://www.cra-
TTY: (416) 325-3600 arc.gc.ca/benefits/
23. Works Cited
"CNIB - Seeing beyond vision loss ." CNIB – Seeing
beyond vision loss . N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr.
2012. <http://www.cnib.ca/en/>.
" Parenting and Child Health - Health Topics - Vision impairment."
CYH Home - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=
114&np=306&id=1873>.
“Assisting a young child who is vision impaired in the preschool or
school classroom - Resources - Vision Australia Website."
Home - Vision Australia Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.visionaustralia.org.au/info.aspx?page=1479>.
"BLV Parent resources - Toronto Preschool Speech and Language
Services." Welcome to Toronto Preschool Speech and
Language Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.tpsls.on.ca/blv/resources.htm>.
24. Works Cited cont’d
Inclusion of Children with Special Needs. Toronto: Centennial
College- Early Childhood Education, 2011. Print.
"OFVIC - Home." OFVIC - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.ofvic.org/>.
"Ontario Foundation for Visually Impaired Children."
Organization / Program Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr.
2012. <http://peel.cioc.ca/record/CDR0056>.
"Welcome to Toronto Preschool Speech and Language
Services." Welcome to Toronto Preschool Speech and
Language Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Apr. 2012.
http://www.tpsls.on.ca/.
"Zonta Club of Mississauga - Zonta Accessible Playground."
Zonta Club of Mississauga. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2012.
http://www.zontamississauga.org/zap.htm.
