VIDBE-Q Volume 69 Issue 4
Step 2: Teach the Student-Specific Technology
While familiarizing teachers with the AT requirements of the IEP, TSVIs
can show examples of the listed technology. Often general education teachers will
not have any background experience or knowledge of the devices utilized by
students with visual impairments or the capabilities they provide. For this reason, it
is especially important to provide examples of specific devices (e.g., video
magnifiers, handheld magnifiers, braille displays, and screen readers) and tasks
that can be completed with the AT. For example, a TSVI could demonstrate how a
student could use their device for magnification when building circuits. This can
help the teacher feel less apprehensive about how to teach particular concepts to
the student with the visual impairment.
In preparation to write this article, my son's former pre-engineering teacher,
Ms. Christian Gober (who he had for both 7
th
and 8
th
grade), shared the following
about the inclusion of students with visual impairments, especially in STEM
related coursework:
I would tell [other general education teachers] to not "sweat the small
stuff". Sometimes teachers get caught up in thinking they have to teach
every little thing. When working with students [with visual impairments],
you don't have to be so particular about every little thing. [Students] can
show you they are learning and getting the information without needing it to
