Jakarta, Kartunet.com - Individuals with visual impairments experience difficulty seeing due to their sense of sight being non-functional or partially impaired. Among them, some cannot see at all
and some have limited vision or still retain some residual sight.
How to recognize their characteristics?
Individuals with visual impairments often complain of headaches, watery and itchy eyes. The color and shape of their eyeballs may appear different, and they tend to squint, read books at a very close distance, and write off the line. They find it difficult to imitate movements, misplace items, struggle to walk, especially in the late afternoon/evening, enter the wrong room, and walk aimlessly. They often bump into things.
What services do they need?
Individuals with visual impairments who cannot see or whose vision is progressively declining require services such as: Braille instruction; mobility orientation skills training, like walking with a cane; and other independent living skills training.
What special aids do they need?
Special aids they need include: a slate and stylus, tools for writing Braille; a white cane for learning mobility orientation; large print and magnifiers for those with residual vision; different textures, and real/concrete objects for concept understanding.
How to help them?
Due to their non-functional or partially impaired sense of sight, they are more adept at utilizing other body functions and their four other senses, particularly hearing and touch.
- When we meet them, we can greet them while making contact by gently touching the back of their hand with our palm and engaging them in conversation. Offer our willingness to help and ask what assistance they need, such as crossing the street, reading a book, etc.
- When communicating with them, avoid demonstrative pronouns (this, that, and others) and it would be better to mention the specific object, such as a book, shirt, and so on. Avoid personal pronouns (he/she, you, and others) and replace them by stating the person's name. Similarly, avoid locative pronouns (here, there, and others), instead saying, “the book is on the dining table on the left side.” We can also use clock directions to help them more independently find their way and perform activities.
- Do not use non-verbal communication or contact. For example, if we smile as a thank you, a “smile” conveys no meaning. It is more appropriate to express our gratitude to them clearly with our voice.
- Do not use gestures as they cannot be seen.
- If we ask them to do something, for instance in a physical education class, we can help by demonstrating the movement directly so they can feel it, or by letting them hold and follow our movements. The use of auditory and tactile media is more appropriate and suitable, and provides greater ease in assisting them.