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Video conferencing with vision impairment

As we experience more time at home during the coronavirus pandemic, we are turning to technology more than ever before to stay connected with friends and family.
Video conferencing technology in use by a student who has low vision
  • Vision

As such, videoconference technology such as FaceTime, Zoom and Skype have become increasingly popular. But are we using the technology in the best way possible?

RIDBC Lead Consultant – Vision Impairment, Tricia d’Apice and RIDBC Renwick Centre Senior Researcher, Sue Silveira have created a list of tips for videoconferencing with a person who is blind or has low vision. The tips focus on how to best use the technology during a therapy session, however the tips are relevant whenever your child uses such technology.

5 technology tips for people who are blind or have low vision

  1. Understand your child’s vision and functional use of vision.
  2. Position your child with their preferred viewing posture.
  3. Don’t feel rushed, if you need something repeated ask for help or clarity.
  4. You can learn braille at the same time as your child by asking your therapist to share the screen with you, to view in braille.
  5. Turn the device’s camera to view play, exploring, reading braille etc. to assist your therapist observing techniques.

You play a very important role to assist your child. For more tips, or for clarity, contact your therapist.

This news article was created prior to 22 March 2021 when NextSense was Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC).