In this period of physical distancing which has resulted in many having to work, live and learn at home, there are many ways in which you can ensure that if you have a child or pupil who is blind or has low vision they are not disadvantaged by remote learning and support. This page contains videos from Melissa Fanshawe, an educator, researcher and parent. You'll also find a comprehensive list of suggested resources and services to help you and the young people in your care navigate remote learning and development.
Useful Videos
Classroom Teachers Video
Specialist Teachers Video
Families Video
Vision Australia Resources
Telehealth
Whether you are new to Vision Australia or an existing client, there’s a new and safe way for us to deliver services to families. Telehealth uses technology to conduct appointments with a Vision Australia service provider. For more information check here or contact your service provider.
Specialist Disability Support in School program (SDSS) (Queensland only)
Vision Australia has adapted to be able to continue to provide services remotely through Queensland’s SDSS program for eligible students. Please liaise with your school to determine if a referral form can be completed (more information and referral form available here).
Accessible Materials
The accessible format team is operating as normal and is happy to assist students and families with any education and learning requirements in braille, e-text, tactual, audio and large print formats. We are also encouraging all clients to use our Personal Support service which offers free accessible formats for VA Library members. This service can be used for recreational reading and learning material (t & c’s apply for free service, but we will try to be as accommodating as possible). Examples of material that is eligible for the free Personal Support service include appliance instructions and manuals, music, recipe books, medical and legal documents, brochures and pamphlets, diagrams and maps, books, magazines and newspapers. We also provide accessible formats for commercial items such as bank statements, energy bills, council newsletters, menus and business cards. Student work is one of our specialty services and we do a lot of transcription for universities and schools. Please note that accessible format production for commercial and educational items is fee for service, which can be funded under the NDIS. For more information about our accessible formats, view our alternate format production page.
Learning @ Home Resources
Learning @ home – States Schools
Queensland
Education Queensland Learning@home
South Australia
Dept for Education Our Learning SA
New South Wales
Learning from home Students with disability
Tasmania
Department of Education learning at home
ACT
WA
Department of Education Learning at Home
Victoria
VIC DET learning from home advice
SVRC - SVRC have swiftly adapted to the new circumstances and continue to provide services, including (remote) Support Skills and the usual support to families, teachers and support teachers
NT
NT Government Using EdQLD Learning@home
Recent Webinars
World Blind Union webinar on Home schooling, how to help our children in time of Covid-19
Online platform accessibility
Zoom
Accessibility Frequently asked questions
Zoom accessibility visual impairments
Hot Keys and Keyboard Shortcuts for Zoom
Zoom access with keyboard commands
Mosen “Meet me Accessibility – a guide to zoom cloud meetings from a blindness perspective”
Zoom on braille note touch
Google classroom
Google classroom on braille note touch
Google for Education Accessibility Features
Google Hangouts Meet Accessibility
Blackboard
Best practices, tips and educational resources
Design accessibility
Accessibility for vision impairment
Apple iPad
“iPad Vision”
Accessibility shortcuts”
Braille note touch
Braille note touch command summary
General
California School for the Blind “How-To Guides”
AFB “The Visually Impaired users technology”
Typing
JAWS, Fusion or Zoom Text - Free home access 1300 791 777 or visit Freedom Scientific Training.
Mdelio “Blind visual impairment resources for educators and families”
Resources to help teachers prepare
AFB “5 Accessibility actions you can take when moving your class online”
Perkins “Preparing for Virtual Instruction”
RIDBC Professional Learning courses
Texas School for the Blind “CVI web exercise”
Described and captioned media program “Remote learning with accessible video”
Blackboard “virtual classroom and district communication resources”
Ensuring accessibility Website design
Ensuring accessibility Print materials
Perkins “Creating accessible charts and graphs”
Australian Disability Clearinghouse
Paths to Literacy “56 Tactile Maths Ideas”
IVCEVI “Make Mathematics easy for blind children”
Australian Special Education Principals Association
Resources for Families
Stay-at-Home Activities for Children with Visual Impairments
Chatterpack “Resources, information, and activities for families to support Home Learning”
Paths to Literacy “Free Access to Objective Ed Digital Curriculum!”
Helen Keller National Centre for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults
Paths to Literacy “56 Tactile Maths Ideas”
ICEVI “Make Mathematics easy for blind children”
Back to front maths Free accessible primary maths work program for students working from home
RNIB Messy & Muddy: A guide to outdoor play for children with vision impairment”
Braille Institute “Braille challenge Sample contests”
Paths to Literacy “Tips and Tools teaching beginning braille skills”
Learn braille online “UEB online”
Teaching Visually Impaired “Braille Technology”
Accessible Games
Ballyland CosmoBally in Space (NEW)
Ballyland Stay Still, Squeaky!
Ballyland Magic
VO Lab (Ballyland Magic for adolescents)
Ballyland Rotor
Ballyland Sound Memory
Accessibyte
Free Online Books
VA Connect – Audio books
Bookshare for Students
Audible
Kindle Unlimited
National Emergency Library
Listening books.org
Read Free Literature
Open Library Access
Project Gutenberg
Free Online Learning
Khan Academy
Open Culture
Open Learn
BBC languages
Project Aspiro “Career planning”
ABC Education
Australian Children’s Television Foundation
Outschool
National Geographic for Kids.
Time for kids
Chatterpack - Online resources – home learning resources, boredom busters, accessible resources
Braille challenge Sample contests