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Books for Teachers of Blind/Visually Impaired Students in Inclusive Classrooms

This is a selected bibliography for general education teachers with inclusive classrooms who need to know how to meet the needs of students who are blind or visually impaired. For a comprehensive bibliography, see the listing below for Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

  • American Foundation for the Blind.Connecting the dots: A parent’s resource for promoting early braille literacy. Information packet. Available in print (English and Spanish) or ASCII disk, no charge. Available from American Foundation for the Blind.

    “This packet includes sources for braille children's books, making braille books with young children, an overview of the braille code, and other information that parents and teachers of young children can use.” – AFB Bookstore website

  • Bishop, Virginia E. Teaching visually impaired children. 2nd ed. Springfield, Ill.: Charles C. Thomas, 1996. 274pp. Print only, paperback, $41.95. Available from Charles C. Thomas Publisher Ltd.

    “This book provides a comprehensive resource for the classroom teacher who is working with a visually impaired child for the first time….” Section headings are Vision, Learning, and Testing and Transition. Information about “how a visual impairment affects learning in general, early development, specific subject areas in school; what special compensatory skills are needed; and how multiple disabilities are related to visual impairment.” The final section explores “diagnostic teaching methods, comprehensive assessments, and the various changes that occur during the school years and beyond for a visually impaired student.” – Publisher’s website

  • Castellano, Carol and Kosman, Dawn. The bridge to braille: Reading and school success for the young blind child. Baltimore: National Organization of Parents of Blind Children, 1997. 191pp. Spiralbound, $12.00; diskette, $12.00; braille $20.00. Available from National Organization of Parents of Blind Children.

    “…[A] practical step-by-step guide that shows parents and teachers how to help blind children progress from early literacy experiences all the way to full participation in the classroom. This book demystifies the education of blind children and enables parents and teachers to give ordinary help with spelling, homework, reports, and projects to children who happen to be blind. Topics included in the book: adapting materials; beginning braille reading; doing math in braille; a quick braille lesson; braille writing in the classroom; resources; using technology; independence in the classroom; about braille books.” – NOPBC Bookstore website

  • Edman, Polly K. Tactile graphics. New York: American Foundation for the Blind, 1992. 544pp. Paperback, $59.95. Available from American Foundation for the Blind.

    “An easy-to-read, encyclopedic handbook on translating visual information into a three-dimensional form that blind and visually impaired persons can understand. This heavily illustrated guide covers theory, techniques, materials, and step-by-step instructions for educators … and anyone involved in producing tactile material for visually impaired persons. Separate chapters are devoted to such important topics as production methods, how to edit and prepare material, pictures, maps, charts and graphs, and displays for readers with low vision.” – AFB Bookstore website

  • Hudson, Laurel J. Classroom collaboration. Watertown, Mass.: Perkins School for the Blind, 1997. 93pp. Print only, paperback, $20.00. Available from Perkins School for the Blind.

    “Intended for public school teams working with primary (elementary) students who have significant visual impairments, Classroom Collaboration serves as a guide to develop roles and systems to promote the most harmonious and effective partnership throughout the training and planning process.” – Perkins Publications website

  • Koenig, Alan J. and Holbrook, M. Cay, editors. Foundations of education, 2nd ed. Volume I: History and theory of teaching children and youths with visual impairments. Volume II: Instructional strategies for teaching children and youths with visual impairments. New York: American Foundation for the Blind, 2000. 335, 852pp. Hardcover, $99.95; ASCII disk $99.95; volumes also available separately. Available from American Foundation for the Blind.

    This really is the foundation text for teachers who need practical information. “Volume I contains a comprehensive distillation of the basic theory underlying the education of children with visual impairments. It includes chapters on visual impairment, the visual system, children's growth and development, psychosocial needs, children with other exceptionalities, and multicultural issues.” – AFB Bookstore website

    Volume II is “packed with practical information, useful hints, practical tips for practioners using specific examples. In-depth examination of different types of assessment, basic techniques for modifying instruction. Specific approaches to different subject areas in the core curriculum as well as strategies for teaching the expanded core curriculum.” AFB Bookstore website

  • Levack, Nancy. Low vision: A resource guide with adaptations for students with visual impairments. 2nd ed. Austin: Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 1994. 264pp. Spiralbound, $25.00; MAC or DOS computer disk, $25.00. Available from Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

    This guide is aimed at teachers who are certified to work with students who are visually impaired. However general education teachers will find useful information in this book, particularly the chapter on adaptations to the learning environment and teaching materials.

  • Sacks, Sharon Zell, Kekelis, Linda S., and Gaylord-Ross, Robert J. The development of social skills by blind and visually impaired students. New York: American Foundation for the Blind, 1992. 214pp. Print only, paperback, $39.95. Available from American Foundation for the Blind.

    “In this examination of the social interactions of children with visual impairments, theory and research are combined to explore how these children can be helped to succeed socially. Innovative practical strategies are provided for educators, researchers, and families on how to assist children in the development of social skills. Qualitative ethnographic approaches demonstrate how classroom teachers can work effectively with individual children and present valuable insights about children's interactions.” – AFB Bookstore website

  • Spungin, Susan J., editor. When you have a visually impaired student in your classroom: A guide for teachers. New York: American Foundation for the Blind, 2001. 84pp. Paperback, $9.95. ASCII disk, $9.95. (This price with additional purchase only.) Available from American Foundation for the Blind.

    Aimed at regular classroom teachers with blind or visually impaired students in the class. It offers suggestions for accommodating students’ needs and lists useful resources.

  • Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Resources for the Expanded Core Curriculum. Austin: Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired: 2003 http://www.tsbvi.edu/recc/

    An invaluable resource. This website offers a comprehensive annotated bibliography of materials useful to teachers who work with students with visual impairments. Although it is aimed at certified teachers of the visually impaired and instructors of orientation and mobility, general education teachers will find a wealth of useful citations. Includes links to publishers and some online documents.

Resources assembled by the Samuel P. Hayes Research Library at Perkins School for the Blind. We invite you to contact the Samuel P. Hayes Research Librarian at 617-972-7250 or HayesLibrary@Perkins.org with any specific questions or requests.