Lesson 4 - A World Without Sight

Brian aids blindfolded Natasha in reading Braille.

A World Without Sight is an introduction to individuals with vision impairments that cannot be corrected through lenses, how individuals with visual impairments perform day to day tasks, and how to interact with individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Objectives	Students will be able to tell another child or adult what blindness or vision impairment means. Students will name ways people with vision loss can take care of themselves.
Key Vocabulary	Vision impairment Low vision Partially sighted Blindness Color blindness Color deficiency Sighted guide Dog guide Braille
Did you know	Every minute a child somewhere in the world goes blind. Every 5 seconds an adult goes blind.
Lesson Content	Online Lesson: L4_world_without_sight SCORM-compliant download PBA URL for online lesson: www.preventblindness.net/L4
Discussion	What do you think it would be like if you couldn't see? How do you know if someone is blind? Why do some people who are blind wear dark glasses? To let others know they are blind. Their eyes may not look like yours or mine. To protect their eyes. How do you think a person who is blind gets around? Cane, dog guide, a sighted person leading them… Read one of the following books and discuss how the book relates to the lesson. Let's Take a Walk in the Zoo My Five Senses My Hands, My World Through Grandpa's Eyes How do people who are blind read? Braille, a reader, a computer, books on tape… How do people who are visually impaired read? CCTV/magnification, Braille, a reader, a computer, books on tape… What is the difference between blindness and low vision? People who are blind have either no sight or very minimal sight, for example some can only tell a lighted area of a room such as the light from a window. People with low vision have a severe vision impairment, but can use aids to enhance their functional vision. What types of items might a person with low vision use to help them do everyday tasks? Dots, magnification, textures…

National Health Education Standards
Standard 1 (K-4) (1) (5-8) (1, 3, 5, 6)
Standard 2 (K-4) (2) (5-8) (2, 4, 6)
Standard 3 (K-4) (1, 2, 3, 5, 6) (5-8) (6)

Reading List

My Hands, My World by Catherine Brighton, MacMillan, 1984, (for all ages).

This is the story of the quiet day of a young blind girl which reverberates with sensuous detail. Full-color paintings fill the pages with figures in shadow and light. The world is dreamlike, taking readers into a very special world of feeling.

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig, Windmill Publishers, 1969, (for younger children).

In a moment of fight, Sylvester the donkey asks his magic pebble to turn into a rock but then cannot hold the pebble to wish himself back to normal again.

Redbird by Patrick Fort, Orchard Books, 1988, (Braille) (for younger children).

Redbird, a small airplane, encounters numerous hazards as it attempts to land at the airport. Text is in Braille and in clear black type; raised letters can be both felt and seen.

Red Thread Riddle by Jensen/Edman, New York Collins, 1979, (Braille) (for younger children).

Follow the thread wherever it goes, but use your fingers and not your nose! Follow it and you will find questions and answers, the funny kind.

What's That? by Virginia Allen Jenses, Collins & World, 1978, (Braille) (for younger children).

Where has little shaggy gone? Find out by feeling the difficult shapes and textures of little shaggy and his friends on the pages of this innovative book.

Through Grandpa's Eyes by Patricia MacLachan, Harper & Row, 1980, (for younger children).

John loves grandpa's house the best because he sees it through grandpa's eyes. Grandpa is blind but he has his own way of seeing.

How the Body Works by Steve Parker, 1994, A Reader's Digest Book, (for older children).

Extensively illustrated in color with experiments for hands-on activities. For students around 8-10 years of age but useful for older students and adults.