Communication tips for teaching students who are blind or vision impaired
- Identify yourself
- Use the student's name
- When talking in a group/ classroom address people by name.
- Explain to the student about what is going to happen
- Explain sudden noises
- Don't shout. People who are blind or vision impaired are not deaf.
- When seating a person who is blind or vision impaired guide their hand to the back of the chair and allow them to seat themselves.
- Talk about what you are doing
- Show the student where things are placed and let the student pick up and feel objects, where appropriate.
- Don't move objects without telling the student
- Don't leave doors ajar. Close or open them fully.
- If you are leaving, tell the student where you are going, who is still with them and when you will be back
- Give clear directions, don't talk about "here" and "there"
- Speak directly to the student not through another person
- It's OK to use words like "look" and "see"
- It's OK to refer to colour when talking to the student.
- Let the student have hands-on experiences whenever possible. Don't force the student to touch new things if they are unsure about them.
- Ask if the student needs help rather than assuming. The student needs to become independent.
- Don't leave the student unless they know where they are
- Don't push or steer the student, let them take your hand or elbow
Contact us
Call: 1300 84 74 66
TTY: 02 9334 3260
Fax: 02 9747 5993
Website: www.visionaustralia.org
Street Address (State Head Offices)
NSW and ACT: 4 Mitchell Street, Enfield NSW 2136
Queensland: 373 Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo Qld 4151
Victoria: 454 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong Vic 3144
Vision Australia is a living partnership between people who are blind, sighted or have low vision. We are united by our passion that in the future people who are blind or have low vision will have access to and fully participate in every part of life they choose.
This page last updated: 20 February 2007