SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT

It is important to include the blind or low-vision student in the full spectrum of school life, including assemblies, field trips, work experience, and special events. A student with a visual impairment faces extra challenges when getting used to the physical environment of a school. Everything from attending gym class to visiting the washroom can present possible difficulties. Emergency procedures, such as fire drills, can also create a situation requiring special handling. On the next page are many situations and specific class environments that may be of potential concern. These may be topics for discussion with your school based team, the vision resource teacher and the orientation and mobility specialist.

Safety and Environment - Notes

• Emergency procedures, fire drills
• Class changes
• Library
• Bathrooms and change rooms
• "Comfort" places in the school
• Office, phone
• Specialty areas:
• Gym
• Science labs
• Industrial labs, shops
• Art and home economic rooms
• Cafeteria and lunch room
• Playground, outdoor areas
• Bus stops

Other areas in the school we need to think about :