By: Carmen Willings teachingvisuallyimpaired.com Updated June 6, 2019
All students need to learn to manage their time, but this is an especially important skill for students with visual impairments and particularly for students who are blind. Students will need to have a structured schedule in order to anticipate events and know daytime activities from nighttime activities.
Time Concepts
In order to manage their time and structure their day, they will need to have a basic understanding of time concepts. Time concept words include: now, later, fast, slow, before, after, during, past, future, next and finished. Understanding time concepts will help students make sense of their world, pace themselves and prepare them for activities.
Encourage the student to:
be prepared for activities when they begin.
identify time frames for completing learning experiences.
demonstrate the ability to use a watch/clock.
keep a schedule of activities for the day, week, and month, electronically and/or on paper.
plan a work schedule for studies and class projects.
Keep Track of Assignments
Of course, it is important for all students, but particularly students with visual impairments to learn how to keep track of their school assignments. Organizing school materials will assist students to keep track of them. Students can use their iPad or iPod to take pictures of the board where assignments are written. The picture can then be viewed and referred to in order to stay on top of assignments.
Encourage the students to:
use a homework folder to record homework assignments or take pictures of assignments on the board with their iPad.
turn in homework assignments on time.
develop methods needed to complete classroom assignments (e.g., assignment sheets).
Six-Ring Binder for Braille This binder, available through APH, is designed to be used with a mini slate and stylus. The student is able to write quick notes using the slate and stylus.
Specialty Watches
Low vision watches have larger faces and bold numbers for easy viewing. They are available from a variety of vendors including Maxi-Aids, Independent Living Aids and Amazon.
Talking watches are available that allow the time to be heard at the press of a button. These watches are also available from a variety of vendors.
Braille watches are available that feature faces that flip open allowing the student to feel the braille numbers and tactual hands.
Time Keeping Apps...
Free Alarmed is VoiceOver friendly. It features a notes area with reminders. It also has a multi-feature timer, alarm clock with snooze option and a sleep alarm. It also has a flashlight.
$0.99 The Pocket Time app allows the user to know the time without taking their iPhone out of their pocket. The app uses motion-sensing software to activate the speaking clock.
Free. Shake: Time app is a gesture-based clock. Once the gestures are learned, the user can fully access the time without touching the screen.
$0.99 The Talking Clock for iPhone is an app that allows you to hear the time when the screen is touched. It can also be programmed to announce the time in intervals.
Compensatory Skills
Concept Development
Demonstrates awareness of objects
Demonstrate understanding of object permanence
Plays with toys – takes adv. of characteristics
Open container to locate noisemaker
Demonstrate interest in toys
Object identification
Match/Classify objects by shapes
Match/Classify objects by size
Time awareness and concepts
Spatial awareness
Quantity Concepts
Alternative Communication
Body responses & gestures for communication
Choice Board (object/tactile/picture)
Communication system (calendar boxes)
Sign language/tactile sign (deafblind)
Emergent Literacy
Explore pictures/objects from story
Explore & turn pages
Proper care of books
Awareness of environmental print/braille
Pretend to read/write print/braille
Access Print
Use low vision tools to access near print
Use low vision tools to access distance print
Use technology to access digital print
Use screen sharing to access print at distance
Access variety of print formats
Identify print size needed
Pre-Braille
Tactile discrimination of symbols
Identify spatial position of dots in braille cell
Identify the dot number in a braille cell
Track a line of dots from left to right
Track a row of dots
Identify beginning/end/breaks on a braille line
Tactually explore a braille page
Track braille sentences when read aloud by adult
Orients braille book correctly
Turn pages in a braille book one at a time
Locates the first braille line on a page
Locate the page number in a braille book
Use two hands to track braille
Use pointer finger as lead finger
Use pinky finger to detect the end of a line
Use light touch
Use two hands separately to track and return
Locate name in braille
Identify same/different braille shape
Identify the braille alphabet
Identify the literary braille numerals 0-10
Braille Code
Read/write the alphabet
Read/write whole-word alphabet contractions
Read/write whole and part word contractions
Read/write short form words
Read/write lower signs
Read/write part word signs
Read/write whole word signs
Read/write initial letter signs
Read/write final letter signs
Read and produce literary numbers
Read and produce braille indicators
Read and produce symbols and punctuation
Braille Reading Fluency
Read back personal writing and edit
Access a variety test & worksheet formats
Apply rules for contractions, punctuation, comp.
Use alternate braille codes (ex. Language, music, etc)
Braille Formatting
Locate beginnings of paragraphs
Writes paragraphs, indenting two spaces
Read/write lists
Locates and read transcriber’s notes, picture captions
Locates headings/subheadings in a text
Reads/write columned materials and tables
Read/write format for poetry and plays
Write outlines in correct (literary/textbook) format
Locate preliminary pages, special symbols page
Use table of contents, glossary and index
Locate/read words and definitions in dictionary
Use a multi-volume textbook
Braillewriter
Locate/name parts on a braillewriter
Make random braille dots
Insert/remove paper from braillewriter
Operate line advance/carriage return
Operate backspace
Use correct fingers on keys
Produce uniform dots using correct finger strength
Erase errors with a braille eraser
Use spacebar appropriately
Set margin stops on braille writer
Change margin for various format needs (ex. column)
Spatially arrange math problems
Proofread writing and make corrections
Slate & Stylus
Identify the dot numbers in cell on a slate
Load paper in the slate
Create legible, uniform dots
Skip space on a slate
Create letters, words, and numbers
Use slate & stylus to complete tasks
Proofread writing and make corrections
Tactile Graphics
Explore Tactile graphics
Locate/identify title, key and symbol
Identify meaning of various textures on globe/map
Interpret graphical information (e.g. graphs & charts)
nemeth code
Read/write numerals in Nemeth Code
Read/write signs of operation (+, -, x, /)
Read/write linear mathematical equations
Read/write horizontal mathematical equations
Read/write symbols of comparison (<,>, =)
Read/write symbols money using signs: $, ¢, .)
Read/write fractions
Read/write mixed numerals
Read/write temperatures using sign for degrees
Read/write percent
Read/write grouping symbols ( , ) , [ , ] , { , }
Read/write Nemeth punctuation (, -, : )
Read/write modifier signs for lines, arrows, rays, bars
Read/write shape indicator (circle, square, etc.)
Read/write signs/format for parallel & perpendicular
Read/write signs for angles
Read/write adv. symbols of comparison (i.e. ≠, = )
Read/write square roots
Read/write subscripts/superscripts
Read/write algebraic expressions
Read/write chemical equations
Read/write braille clock/watch
Write time
Measure to the nearest centimeter, ½”
Construct/draw measure geometric figures & label
Use braille/tactual tools to measure
Display data on tactual graph
Interpret data in various tables and graphs
Read/write standard/metric measurements
Read/write advanced Nemeth code symbols
Apply rules to complete grade level problems
Access Classes
Use of charts, graphs, maps
Measurement tools
Handwriting (legibility)
Develop a consistent signature
Use signature writing guide
Use of needed accommodations
Interpretation of Tactile graphics
Abacus
Identify all parts of the abacus
Demonstrate understanding of set, clear and count
Set numbers in the ones column
Set numbers in the tens column
Set and read whole numbers according to place value