When a Student Doesn't Appear "Blind"

Sometimes a partially sighted student is confronted with unique challenges.

• The partially sighted student could sometimes be viewed by instructors and classmates as "faking it" because many partially sighted students do not use white canes for travel and because many are able to get around much like everyone else.

• Some people may have difficulty believing that the student needs to use adaptive methods when utilizing printed materials.

• One partially sighted student commented that having been observed playing Frisbee by one of her instructors, she was sure that the instructor would no longer believe that she was partially sighted. As she explained, she had more peripheral than central vision and was able to see a red Frisbee. If any other color Frisbee was used, she could not see well enough to play.

• Playing Frisbee and reading a printed page present quite different visual requirements.

• This is often difficult for the fully sighted person to understand.

• A student with low vision may be able to do certain activities and still need classroom accommodations.