1. Strategies PresentationVisual Reading AidsMarilyn RomeroEEX6067

2. Overview of Strategy Purpose- Visual difficulties among students with learningdisabilities take two forms: visual-processing dysfunctionand deficits in basic visual skills. Students with a visual-processing dysfunction have problemsinterpreting visual information even when the visualinformation is clear. Students with basic visual disability have problems obtainingsufficient visual information, but can interpret what they see. Research Base-These are not considered information-processing disorders, but can potentially evolve otherdisabilities. Despite differences in causes and primaryinterventions, the two types of visual difficulties may leadto similar behaviors and may respond to similar secondarystrategies.Visual tracking aids enable students tomaintain their place on a page of text and processinformation better. Color overlays can also assist bylessening the contrast to make text look clearer. 3. Population 2nd-5th grade students with Dyslexia or Visual ImpairmentsContent Subject- Reading (can apply to allsubjects and daily life) VisualAbility 4. Steps of Strategy1. Work with the student in a small group or one-on-one toassess the students visual reading abilities.2. Use reading level appropriate material.3. Conduct the assistive technologies survey found athttp://www.onionmountaintech.com/files/PersonalChoices.pdf4. Determine the area of need (focusing, positioning, colorcontrast, or size)5. Once a need is targeted apply strategies for that need Focusing-use tracking aids such as a readingwindow/ruler (Teacher made readingwindows are easy to create by cutting arectangular window in a strip of card stock.) Positioning- display reading material upright andat different angles. Color contrast-place each of the different colors,one at a time, over a page of print. Select thecolored overlay that makes the print the clearestand easiest to read. Size- enlarge print size of reading materials andworksheets.6. Use multiple visual reading strategies if necessary, anduse multiple senses during instruction.7. Prepare for reading success.Focusing PositioningColor Contrast Size 5. Strengths The use of visual reading aidsprovides new opportunities formany at-risk readers. Decreases stress and frustrationswhile reading, and increasesstudents positive attitudestowards reading.Weaknesses Unfortunately, there are no curesdyslexia and some visualimpairments, but coloredoverlays and other strategieshave made a tremendousdifference in the lives of studentswith visual disabilities. Students need to be guided touse assistive technologiesindependently, so they do notbecome distractions. 6. Possible Adaptations (1) Students who are ELLs-It is beneficial for students who areELLs to use window rulers because itallows them to focus on reading oneline at time so that they do not getoverwhelmed with unknown words. (2) Students with disabilities)-Students with basic visual deficitsmay benefit from visual therapy (eyeexercises) or the use of tintedglasses. Students with visualimpairments may also benefit fromenlarged print on pages and eventhe use of bolder colors. 7. Results Intended to AchieveStudents with Dyslexia or Visual Impairmentssometimes experience Letter or word reversals Eye strain, headaches Problems tracking wordsor numbers on a page Problems copying Difficulty reading for long periods oftime Slow, halting reading Poor comprehensionTheseVisual ReadingAids are intended to Reading Success Confidence Independence 8. Conclusion For some people, looking at black letters on white paper causes headaches and eye fatigue,or words may seem to shake, move, or reverse.The correct colored overlay can dramaticallyreduce visual distortions or discomfort and improves reading and learning ability. Students who see letters, numbers, pictures or objects sliding, reversing, shaking, and/ordoubling often have visual dyslexia. All that movement makes learning to read extremelydifficult.The correct colored overlay placed over a page of print can stop or reduce themovement and enable the student to read. When these same students try to copy a page of print, their letters, words, and numbersshow the distortions they actually see. Fortunately, when the correct colored overlay isplaced over that same page of print, the movement stops, students perceive the words andnumbers as they really are and write them correctly.This is the way mere colored overlayshave made a significant impact on students. Window rulers, positioning trays, and larger texthave also improved students reading ability tremendously.Resources Jager, B. K., & Moser, V. (2000). Collaboration and Role Release: Can Diverse Special Education Teachers & RegularEducation Teachers Work Together To Serve Students with Visual Impairment or with Learning Disabilities?. http://www.dyslexiacure.com/oldsite/ 9. Thank you for listening!