Sensory Impairment by Emily

Definition -

1. Hearing - Limitations, impairments or absence of the capacity to hear with amplification, resulting in one or more of the following: reduced performance in hearing acuity tasks, difficulty with oral communication, and/or difficulty in understanding information that is presented verbally in the education environment. The term includes students who are deaf and students who are hard of hearing.
2. Vision - Limitations, impairments, or absence of capacity to see after correction, resulting in one or more of the following: reduced performance in visual acuity tasks, difficulty with written communication, and/or difficulty with understanding information presented visually in the education environment. The term includes students who are blind and students with limited vision.
3. Deafblind - Concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes severe communication and other developmental and educational needs.

Characteristics -

1. Hearing - Characteristics of hearing impairments are delay in speech and language, difficulty with articulation delay in reading and spelling skills, cognitive delay, limited speech, and limited peer/social skills.
2. Vision - Characteristics of vision impairments are no/slight vision, enhanced other senses, lack in their ability to use certain visual concepts (colors, or three dimensional shapes) and hampered cognitive development

Difference From Others - Students with hearing problems differ from other students with their delay in language and speech. Their speech and language along with their reading and spelling skills are delayed because usually a student would learn from listening to others read and talk but since they cannot fully hear it delays their development. Without hearing how words are pronounced or without being able to hear how the words are articulated the student doesn't get the true concept. The lack and delay in speech and language effects the development of the students cognitive and academic skills. For students who hare vision impaired, since they either lack or have the inability to see, the students cognitive skills and social skills. Their cognitive skills suffer because "it limits the integrating experiences and the understanding of those experiences that the visual sense brings naturally to sighted children" (Kirk, Gallagher, Coleman, Anastasiow, 2009. p. 367). Also their social skills lack because they don't know how to carry their presents and cannot see actions so their understanding of a conversation could differ from the true meaning.

Assistive Technologies & Education Plans - Sensory skills like vision and hearing are very important in their contributete to the development of a students cognitive learning. In order to help a student develop their skills without one of their main senses, assistive technologies are needed. For a student who has problems hearing such devices like hearing aids help the student use what hearing they have become amplified so they have a better chance of hearing everyday things. Also alerting devices and alarm systems have been developed with bright flashing lights and vibrations to help and warn students who cannot hear very well. Devices like this help students understand concepts they may not be able to hear. Also students who are hard of hearing should learn sign language in order to have a method of communication with others since their speech and language skills are delayed or don't exist. For students who are blind they can verbally express themselves because they are able to hear others talk and read, but they themselves cannot read due to their inability to see. The form of reading for the blind is Braille. Braille is the use of raised bumps on a paper to act as letters and words so the students can read. They move their fingers right to left over the bumps to distinguish the different letters and numbers that make up the words. Also other technologies like adaptive keyboards, augmentative communication devices, braille embosser, braille translation software, braille writing equipment, closed-circuit television, portable note takers, refreshable braille displays, scanner, screen magnification, and screen reader help increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. More devices for hearing and visually impairments are:
Hearing

1. pen and paper (notes)
2. computer/portable word processor
3. closed captioning
4. flash alert signals
5. phone amplifier

(example of closed captioning)










Vision

1. eyeglasses
2. magnifiers
3. large print books
4. screen magnifier
5. braille materials

(example of screen magnification)









Community Programs - Programs like SABAH (Skating Athletes Bold At Heart) is a great way to allow students to ice skate with assistance even if they cannot hear or see. They can do all the activities a "normal" child can do just with some assistance through multiple programs. Also the Special Olympics and Respite cares help mix up the environments surrounding the students, and at each one they learn a different skill. Many programs that are out there for the students and their families help get the students moving and learning in a new way.


Kirk S. , Gallagher J.J. , Coleman M.R. , & Anastasiow N. (2009). Educating Exceptional Children (12th ed. , pp. 322-402). Boston, NY: Houghton Mifflin Company.