Enabling strategies
If there are people who cannot see or read off the screen in your group, read out what is written on the screen when using a whiteboard, blackboard, overhead transparency or PowerPoint presentation.
Explain fully any diagrams, illustrations, acronyms or videos you use.
Produce materials in advance for those who need them
Remember to produce your course information with plenty of time for the material to be put into Braille or have the print modified, if required.
When preparing handouts, pay attention to how easy they are to read. Keep them clear and simple. Use an accessible sans serif fonts; Arial at 14 point size is a good starting point for clarity. Black print on yellow or white paper is usually clear, although students with visual stress may have individual preferences. An uncluttered layout without too much information on one page is helpful.
Avoid placing text over a background illustration or pattern.
Upload presentations/handouts onto an intranet Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), if available, in advance of the session. This will enable learners to prepare for your session.
Help learners to customise their PC environment, VDU, default fonts - check out JISC TechDis for further information.
Some learners find it easier to record sessions, as this may be the most efficient way for them to make accurate notes; review materials and ideas and discuss the content with others at a later date. Digital recorders are now sophisticated machines that allow easy tracking of information. Check that the learner has a strategy to locate information either by using an index marker or dividing recordings up into timed sections.
With the learner, explore techniques that help to compensate for perceptual difficulties. For example, discuss ways of isolating lines or blocks of information, possibly using windows cut out of card. Use a frame or ruler to identify the line of text and to help move the eye to the next line.
Use colour and imagery to highlight key points or important details.
Encourage learners with visual stress to use coloured overlays to cover the text they are reading; this can dramatically reduce the glare from white paper.