Describe and give examples of how auditory and tactile aids can be used to help children with visual impairments orient themselves to their environment.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

There are many ways in which tactile aids can be used to help visually impaired children orient to their surroundings. Student responses may vary, but one such way is to use texture changes around the home. For example, if a child knows that the kitchen has hardwood floor but that the living room has a shaggy rug, they will be better able to orient themselves to their location within the home when they feel the carpet between their toes. When they feel this carpet underfoot, they will know that they are in the living room as opposed to in the kitchen. Within the learning environment, teachers may use carpet runners to assist visually impaired children in following the correct path to another location. By following along the carpeted path, the child knows that they are moving in the right direction. Children may also use auditory aids to orient themselves to their environments. If a child knows that the refrigerator making a buzzing sound and the fish tank in the living room sounds like running water, then the child will be able to orient himself to his surroundings and decide where he wants to go next. Artificial sounds can also be created within the home and learning environments. For example, a chime can be placed near the bookcase so the child knows that, when he hears the chime, he is close to the bookcase. Artificial sounds can be created to help visually impaired children make sense of their surroundings.