Visually impaired students

Bogner et al. (2006) have pointed out that in order to see with the mind s eye requires stimuli that elicit familiar things. Nothing becomes familiar until sufficient exposure has taken place. These sensorial experiments provide the means to expose visually impaired students to chemistry experimentation and to become familiar with chemical techniques and procedures. The academic success of students with disabilities is higher when this population is included in traditional classrooms and is provided the opportunity to engage in active learning (Baker... 

Cetera, M. M. (1983) Laboratory adaptations for visually impaired students Thirty years in review. Journal of College Science Teaching 12(6), 384-393. 

Jones, R. R. Scientific visualization through tactile feedback for visually impaired students. http //www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/Us Eu/conf/csun 98/ csun98 170.html (accessed December 14,2009). 

Lunney, D. (1994) Data acquisition for the visually impaired student. Journal of Chemical Education 71,308. 

Mayo, R M. (2004) Assessment on the impact chemistry text and figures have on visually impaired students learning. Doctoral dissertation. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. 

In Chapter 11, Maria Oliver-Hoyo introduces a variety of unique multisensorial experiments that are designed to use other senses in addition to eyesight when studying chemical processes and performing chemical techniques. Besides adding richness to the chemistry experience of all students, these sensorial experiments provide an opportunity to integrate visually impaired students into the laboratory experience in an active and independent manner. 

Recognition of, and snpport for, the transgression of disabled students from their mainstream peers was another snrprising discovery. Mainstream students spoke admiringly of the disabled smdents attempts to be treated normally (Allan, 1999, p. 63) and were scathing abont how teachers often looked past these and gave the students special treatment (ibid). One visually impaired student described how inappropriate such conduct was ... 

When I came home from Russia, I was elected President of the Russian Club. As President, I took on a project to record a Russian te>ctbook to cassette tapes for students who are visually impaired. I recruited 15 volunteers and trained them on the recorders. Then, I developed a schedule for the volunteers and set down reading guidelines. We completed the project ahead of schedule. 

The ultimate goal for the development of these sensorial experiments is for them to be useful to students with visual impairments and their instructors. All resources already discussed in this chapter may be incorporated to provide students with these challenges an opportunity to perform chemistry as independently as possible. In addition, the benefits and role of a sighted assistance are well documented (Cetera 1983 Miner et al. 2001), and these assistants too could get a different perspective about the science that studies everything we perceive through our senses. 

As this chapter has highlighted, sensorial experiment procedures allow students with visual impairments to actively participate in chemistry laboratories, along with nondisabled classmates. The instructional materials developed require minimal need of peripheral equipment, have comparable preparation times and cost to traditional laboratories, and are properly designed to fulfill safety requirements. The incorporation of available technologies into these experiments makes it possible to adapt these chemistry experiments to the needs of students with sensorial disabilities. As these experiments are disseminated and implemented in chemistry laboratories, the opportunity to encourage the interest of students with visual impairments to study chemistry increases. The prospect is to change mistaken views about the potential, inherent in all, to contribute and enjoy science. 

Kumar, D. D., R. Ramasamy, and G. P. Stefanich (2001) Science for students with visual impairment Teaching suggestions and policy implications for secondary educators. Electronic Journal of Science Education 5(3). http //... 

Poon, T. and R. Ovadia (2008) Using tactile learning aids for students with visual impairments in a first-semester organic chemistry course. Journal of Chemical Education 85(2), 240-242. 

Supalo, C. (2005) Techniques to enhance instructors teaching effectiveness with chemistry students who are blind or visually impaired. Journal of Chemical Education 82(10), 1513-1518. 

Venanzi, C. A., W. J. Skawinski, and A. D. Ofsievich (1996) Molecular models by laser stereolithography. In Physical Supramolecular Chemistry, eds. L. Echegoyen and A. E. Kaifer, pp. 127-142. Dordrecht Kluwer Academic Publishers. Second version The Use of Laser Stereolithography to Produce Three-Dimensional Tactile Molecular Models for blind and Visually Impaired Scientists and Students, http //people.rit.edu/easi/itd/itdv01n4/ article6.htm (accessed December 14,2009). 

One of the central aspects of inclusion at Big School is physical access to the campus for those who have physical disabilities. One staff member envisioned that Big School would be more inclusive when The physical campus is inviting to those that are part of the University and the local community. A colleague agrees that Big School should be more aggressive about providing Better access for deaf/hearing impaired. Better access for blind/visually impaired. This undergraduate student was far more specific in her vision for fair access at Big School,... 

In addition to the resourced provision rooms, there are specially equipped facilities for the small number of students who receive physiotherapy and speech therapy, but it is felt by the SENCO and other staff that there is insufficient support for children with therapy needs. In addition, the school has to cope with a lack of dedicated space that would be required for the development of a wider range of provision for example, there is a shortage of small teaching rooms, inadequate resources for the visually impaired and insufficient storage space for speciahst equipment. 

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