Industrial Technology for the student with a vision impairment
Ensure use of all tools is understood.
For some equipment it may be appropriate for the teacher to cut the material during the class demonstration and give this material to the VI student to complete the task.
Sometimes an alternative project may be more appropriate. Outcomes allow for this.
Ensure all dangerous machines have guards.
Have student work with reliable peer.
Discuss safety with low vision student and peers ‑ outline emergency procedures.
Ensure student is wearing goggles wherever dust or particles of working material are present.
Check through parent whether activities such as welding are permissible. (Some eye conditions may be affected by welding arcs).
Expect student to try all tasks ‑ make sure rulers are clearly marked ‑ expect to have to give some individual attention.
Use both clear descriptions and movements when demonstrating procedures ‑ avoid hurried, confused movements and jumbled descriptions.
Prior to sawing a piece of wood, cutting lines may need to be marked with a thick black texta rather than a pencil. This can be sanded off later.
A thick rubber band placed either side of the marked line may also assist, depending on the severity of your student’s vision loss.
Measuring Tolerances: BOS accepts + or – 5 millimetres, 5 degrees on protractor, 5 degrees on thermometers etc.
Ensure use of all tools is understood.
For some equipment it may be appropriate for the teacher to cut the material during the class demonstration and give this material to the VI student to complete the task.
Sometimes an alternative project may be more appropriate. Outcomes allow for this.
Ensure all dangerous machines have guards.
Have student work with reliable peer.
Discuss safety with low vision student and peers ‑ outline emergency procedures.
Ensure student is wearing goggles wherever dust or particles of working material are present.
Check through parent whether activities such as welding are permissible. (Some eye conditions may be affected by welding arcs).
Expect student to try all tasks ‑ make sure rulers are clearly marked ‑ expect to have to give some individual attention.
Use both clear descriptions and movements when demonstrating procedures ‑ avoid hurried, confused movements and jumbled descriptions.
Prior to sawing a piece of wood, cutting lines may need to be marked with a thick black texta rather than a pencil. This can be sanded off later.
A thick rubber band placed either side of the marked line may also assist, depending on the severity of your student’s vision loss.
Measuring Tolerances: BOS accepts + or – 5 millimetres, 5 degrees on protractor, 5 degrees on thermometers etc.
- Don’t forget: keep in touch with the ISTV
to discuss any issues.