Lesson 5 - Sensory Impairments
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Presentation of Theoretical Construct
Lecture Information: Learning Differences
a. Sensory impairments
i. A person with a sensory impairment has reduced ability or lack of ability in using one or more of three basic senses - vision, touch, and hearing. The effects of a sensory impairment can range from slight to complete loss of ability to use the sense. It may have a mild or severe impact on daily living. Sensory impairments may be present along with other disabilities such as mobility impairments or learning disabilities.
ii. Visual impairments include low vision and blindness. Low vision is used to describe a loss of visual acuity while retaining some vision. It may be combined with light sensitivity and can vary in its effect. Some people with visual impairments have uniform vision loss. Others might have visual field limitations that result in tunnel vision or alternating areas of total blindness and vision. Some people experience loss of color vision. "Blindness" usually refers to a complete lack of vision. People who are considered "legally blind" may have some useful vision.
iii. Hearing impairments include partial or complete hearing loss. People who are deaf have no useful hearing ability.
iv. Nerve damage associated with diabetes may result in Peripheral Neuropathy. This condition is manifested in numbness or a lack of sensitivity in limbs, including fingertips.
v. Sometimes it is obvious that a person has a sensory impairment - for example, a person who uses a guide dog. Other disabilities are less apparent. For example, someone who is deaf or who has Neuropathy may have no obvious impairment. Someone with a sensory impairment may not require any special technology, while others require significant enhancements to a standard computer in order to access all features.
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