To Table of Contents
ARE YOU READY ? Blind Students and Online Learning
by Jubilee Paul
For students across the world , distance learning has become the new normal and in- person classes are now a thing of the past . Although this new way of learning has presented many opportunities , it has placed some persons with disabilities at a disadvantage , specifically those at the primary school level . It ’ s almost as if they have been forgotten and left to fend for themselves . Students who are blind and visually impaired have experienced a number of challenges in adapting to remote learning .
To begin with , at the primary school level , parents must now attempt to educate their child who is blind , with minimal assistance . This process can be very frustrating for both parent and child , especially if they lack the necessary skills and training for the task . Prior to the pandemic , teacher Aides played an essential role in providing additional help to those who needed individual attention in the classroom . However , with the suspension of physical classes , this is no longer available . Many parents and guardians have taken time off or are even unable to work , in order to assist their child with school .
Since the commencement of online learning , children who
are visually impaired have been receiving the short end of the stick , as tactile learning cannot be taught in this way . For persons who are blind , touch plays an essential role in learning . As a result , tactile methods are vital in acquiring the necessary skills which enable them to function as independently as possible . Without the element of touch , subjects like Science and Math can be difficult for students who are blind at different levels of education . “ They can ’ t just listen to a Math book ,” one teacher said .
This leads to the next point , which is that online learning can be fast paced . One teacher mentioned that it