Visual Impairment
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Understanding the condition
There are two forms of visual impairment, within these categories there is a scale.
Distance vision impairment:
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Mild – presenting visual acuity worse than 6/12
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Moderate – presenting visual acuity worse than 6/18
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Severe – presenting visual acuity worse than 6/60
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Blindness – presenting visual acuity worse than 3/60
Near vision impairment:
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Presenting near visual acuity worse than N6 or M.08 with existing correction.
For most children, it is a condition that they are born with, however as we grow older the leading reasons why a person may experience visual impairment include:
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uncorrected refractive errors
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cataract
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glaucoma
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diabetic retinopathy
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corneal opacity
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trachoma
Associated conditions
Children who experience visual impairment may also experience other disabilities however it is important not to assume a child has an additional difficulty because they are perhaps slower to learn, have difficulties with comprehension, physical mobility or communication and social skills.
These may relate to their visual impairment and with the right support and access to resources there is no reason why a child with a visual impairment cannot achieve as much or more than their peers.
Challenges faced by students
Belize is very fortunate to have BCVI. Please contact BCVI if you need any further information on visual impairment conditions or require visual impairment services or support.
You can access additional information and resources using the links below:
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Royal Blind Learning Hub offer free online seminars for teachers on visual impairment, strategies and other free resources
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The RNIB offers information, strategies and resources to support the education of children with visual impairment. Whilst the RNIB is based in the UK and there is reference to the UK in the documents, the strategies and resources are applicable to all children with visually impairments. To access their resources, please click below: