Students with low vision often struggle in the classroom. To function properly, they may require various optical and non-optical devices – these should also be provided to them regularly by teachers of students with visual impairments (VIs) as well as orientation and mobility instructors (O&M).

Portable Camera Magnifier

Students with low vision who find traditional magnifying glasses difficult to use may benefit from portable electronic desktop magnifiers. These devices allow users to enlarge text, pictures and other printed materials on LCD high definition screens with up to 82x magnification magnification power. Screen options typically include color selection and contrast adjustments depending on style; certain models even allow users to record and save video images for safe keeping.

These devices provide students with an efficient solution for reading, writing, classwork and computer use. Many models come equipped with text to speech technology which enables those with low vision to use the device simply by speaking out what they would like read out loud – helping them complete daily routine tasks easily while giving a greater sense of independence and control.

Portable viewing panels use camera technology and screen attachments to magnify a page or object for easier reading and navigation, available both monochrome and full color with various monitor sizes and designs. Some products even interconnect with computers for increased versatility when it comes to adjusting contrast and switching back and forth between black and white and color displays.

Portable electronic desktop magnifiers can also be used for applications beyond handheld magnifiers, including whiteboard presentations and office or school paperwork. Handheld electronic magnifiers are small and portable enough for students to use for reading, paper work, school presentations, self-grooming or grooming purposes – some even come equipped with detachable lenses that increase magnification while also expanding field of view.

Non-optical handheld magnifiers are also useful tools for children with low vision. Teachers and parents can assist their pupils by altering the environment to meet these special needs; such as placing them near windows for better lighting when reading or working on projects; using felt-tipped pens to produce thicker lines when writing or drawing, wearing hats/caps to prevent light reflecting off hair/forehead glare and caps to reduce glare caused by light reflecting off forehead/hair or wearing hats to block out sun. In addition, environmental modifications like arranging books ordered spine for easier holding/reading from and encouraging children closer seating can increase student comfort as well as performance.

Fixed Magnifier

Magnifiers for desktop or laptop computers allow students to view images and text without moving their eyes back and forth, providing greater ease for students who may have difficulty with handwriting, as well as those who struggle to maintain focus on small screens or pages of text. Furthermore, these devices offer high magnification levels perfect for reading books or documents – some even come equipped with internet connectivity so students can upload/download images or search the web!

A stand magnifier is an optical device that uses one or more lenses to increase retinal image size of objects, making them easier to see. Primarily used for near vision applications and typically having dioptric power of +4.00D. They come in all kinds of styles and sizes from handheld models all the way up to large desktop units with features like lighting controls, reading magnification adjustment settings, image capture/freeze screen capabilities and color/contrast settings.

Children with low vision typically make significant improvements in near visual acuity using their strong ability to focus on nearby objects (accommodation) or by squinting to create a pinhole effect, however these methods do not provide magnification needed to read larger print which makes optical low vision devices such as magnifiers an essential aid for those with low vision.

Study of West African children with low vision found 291 students were assessed in clinics, special schools for visually impaired students, integration programs and CBR programmes; all received initial visual assessments including distance and near visual acuity measurements, refraction analysis and magnification evaluation. At follow-up assessments six months later, 55% showed an improvement in functional vision or their ability to read/write.

Environmental modifications beyond low vision devices may also prove useful for some children, including placing them near windows and encouraging them to use felt-tipped pens which create thicker lines. Children sensitive to glare should wear hats or caps and use special absorptive filters designed to filter out scattered and glare-producing light.

Handheld Magnifier

Handheld magnifiers are small devices designed for use in the palm of the hand and provide 12x power magnification on LCD high definition screens ranging from 3.5″ to 6.5″. Lightweight yet portable enough to carry around with ease, handheld magnifiers make an invaluable low vision tool that students can take with them anywhere. Some styles even include text to speech capabilities which convert printed words or numbers into computer voice synthesis.

Optic magnifiers are the most frequently utilized magnifying devices among children and are typically prescribed to help near visual impairment or low vision students read with greater ease than without one. Their amounts of magnification vary depending on reading requirements, near visual acuity levels and working distance requirements; the lowest powered magnifier will typically be prescribed initially and later increased gradually as skills for using magnifiers develop further.

An optical magnifier for distance vision works like a telescope, drawing distant objects closer. It is useful for reading street signs, bus numbers and the blackboard in class. Children with low vision often find this type of magnifier easier to use than stand magnifiers since there is less focussing effort required; however, tracking a moving target remains essential when learning how to operate one of these optical magnifiers.

Non-optical magnifying devices are easily available at stationers’ shops, furniture stores or optical stores and can easily be constructed by parents or teachers. Children may cut black cardboard frames into reading slits to support reading for books or notebooks – these types of non-optical low vision tools have proven highly successful at improving children’s reading speeds while giving access to educational opportunities that they need – in one study of 29 visually impaired Ghanaian children given both optical and non-optical low vision devices, 55% reported significant increases in reading speed speed as well as functional vision improvements.

Text to Speech

Text to speech software allows students to have their computer or other electronic device read written text aloud. This assistive technology program also enables them to create documents or emails by speaking, rather than typing. They may use various voice options and adjust reading speeds accordingly.

Screen readers, also referred to as TTS programs, are programs used on computers, tablets and mobile phones to assist those with low vision in reading assignments, emails and web pages in class. Students using TTS for testing purposes may use them too if the test does not contain text that would prevent it from working properly.

Text to speech programs offer additional features that assist students with hearing loss or limited dexterity to follow assignments more easily, helping them regain independence and reduce dependence on teachers for task completion. These tools allow students to regain their independence and work towards independence.

Many of these programs include various voice options to ensure students feel at ease when reading synthesised text out loud. Students can select their preferred voice and customize its rate and pitch so that it sounds more natural or is easier for them to comprehend.

Visually impaired users find these programs particularly helpful, and many colleges and universities provide libraries where visually impaired students can get them at no or low cost; some even make them available on campus so that they may access materials necessary for their studies.

As well as these tools, many students with visual impairments also rely on other assistive technologies in the classroom. Magnifying software may be used to increase font sizes while others rely on text-to-speech and OCR scanning and reading systems for help navigating computer environments. Furthermore, special keyboards with high contrast may allow these students to interact with computers without looking directly at keyboard keys.