FamilyConnect®

For parents of children with visual impairments

Glossary

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N
O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

A

Accommodation

The ability of the eye to adjust its focus for seeing at different distances by changing the shape of the lens through action of the ciliary muscle.

Accommodations

Arrangements, techniques and materials that change how a child is taught or tested, such as the use of large print or braille materials, or extra time allotted for taking a test.

Achromatopsia

A congenital defect or absence of cones, resulting in the inability to see color and reduce clear central vision.

Activities of daily living (ADL)

The routine activities that an individual must be able to do in order to live independently, such as dressing, preparing and eating food, and so forth.

Adapted materials

Materials such as texts, lessons, and other print reading matter that have been prepared in formats such as braille, large print, or electronic files for use by people who are visually impaired.

Adventitious visual impairment

Loss or impairment of vision that occurs after birth, usually as a result of an accident or disease.

Albinism

See oculocutaneous albinism

Alternate media

Formats other than regular print for the presentation of information that can be used by people who are blind or visually impaired, such as braille, large print, or audio recordings.

Amblyopia

Reduced vision without observable changes in the structure of the eye, caused by eyes that are not straight or by a difference in the refractive errors in the two eyes, sometimes formerly called "lazy eye"; not correctable with lenses because the brain's suppression is the cause.

American Sign Language (ASL)

The formal and abstract language of people who are deaf in the United States. A visual-spatial language of hand shapes, positions, and movements, with its own unique syntax, semantics, and pragmatic functions.

Aphakia

The absence of the crystalline lens, usually resulting from the removal of a cataract.

Assessment

For educational purposes, the process used to determine a student's current needs and skill levels.

Assistive technology

Equipment, especially electronic devices and computer hardware and software, that helps people who are blind or visually impaired obtain information and communicate; includes closed-circuit televisions, braille translation software, braille embossers, screen readers combined with a speech synthesizer, screen-enlargement software, and refreshable braille displays. Also known as adaptive technology or access technology.

Assistive technology assessment

The process used to determine what technology tools a student needs to perform successfully his or her current and future educational tasks.

Augmentative communication device

Any aid that supplements existing vocal or verbal communication (may be simple and inexpensive or highly technological).

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B

Braille

A tactile system for reading and writing, based on a cell-like structure made up of six raised dots used in various arrangements to represent printed letters. A system of raised dots based on a sructure of cells that enables functionally blind persons to read and write.

Braille embosser

An electronic braille printer that connects to a computer and prints (embosses) braille on paper.

Braillewriter

A machine similar to a typewriter that is used to write or emboss braille.

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C

Cataract

A clouding of the lens of the eye, which may be congenital, traumatic, secondary to another visual impairment, or age related. When a cataract is surgically removed, an intraocular lens implant, contact lens, or spectacle correction is necessary to provide the refractive function of the absent lens.

Center-based services

Services provided at an agency, rather than in an individual's home. Also known as center-based programs.

CHARGE association

A diagnostic label for a pattern of congenital anomalies—coloboma, heart defect, choneal atresia, retarded growth and development and abnormalities of the central nervous system, genital hypoplasia, and anomalies or malformation of the ears and hearing impairment.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV)

A device that magnifies print or pictures using a camera to project an image onto a television screen or computer monitor. Also known as a video magnifier.

Coloboma

A congenital cleft in some portion of the eye caused by the improper fusion of tissue during gestation; may affect the optic nerve, ciliary body, choroid, iris, lens, or eyelid.

Communication board

A flat surface with a set of pictures or tangible symbols. A child conveys a specific message by touching or pointing to a representative picture or symbol. The board may contain a single picture or symbol representing a preferred activity. Also known as a picture board.

Congenital visual impairment

Loss or impairment of vision that is present at birth. See also adventitious visual impairment.

Contrast sensitivity

The ability to detect differences in grayness and background.

Core curriculum

The general education curriculum that all students in public schools are expected to master, including language arts, science, mathematics, and social studies.

Cortical visual impairment (CVI)

Vision loss that is the result of damage to any part of the visual pathways in the brain. Sometimes caused by injury to the optic chiasma (the point at which images are transmitted to the right or left brain), which may be injured and unable to transmit the visual impulses. Individuals who are cortically blind may exhibit a reduced visual field or a hemianopia (blindness in half of the visual field). Also called cortical blindness; cortical vision loss; cerebral visual impairment.

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D

Deaf-blindness

Concomitant hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which may present unique communication, learning, developmental, orientation and mobility, and social needs.

Delayed visual maturation (DVM)

A condition in which visual development is delayed so a child will seem to be visually impaired. Nystagmus may be present and the delay may be related to abnormalities in the anterior visual pathway. Visual function generally develops at 6-24 months and continues to improve until 2-3 years.

Depth perception

The ability to detect the relative spatial location of objects, some of which are nearer the observer than are others.

Developmental delay

Performance below the level that is expected for a given age, as in cognitive, communication, motor, sensory, and social abilities.

Dog guide

A specially trained dog that assists a person who is blind or visually impaired in orientation and mobility. Dog guides can learn to respond to commands and to judge when doing so would endanger the owner.

Due process

The legal procedure required for school districts to address a parent's or guardian's concerns or disagreements with the educational program of a child who is receiving special education, as specified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

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E

Early intervention

Intervening in a child's development to provide support at an early time in his or her life.

Early interventionist

A professional who works with infants from birth through age 3 who have disabilities and their families.

Electronic notetaker

A portable device with a braille or typewriter keyboard for input, and output in braille and/or speech, that interfaces with a computer, and may also function as a personal digital assistant. Also known as a portable notetaker; personal digital assistant (PDA); braille notetaker.

Enucleation

A surgical procedure consisting of removal of the entire eyeball.

Expanded core curriculum (ECC)

A curriculum that covers the unique, disability-specific skills, such as independent living skills and orientation and mobility skills, that students with visual impairments need to acquire and master to compensate for vision loss and live independently and productively.

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F

Forced-choice preferential looking test

A means of testing the vision of nonverbal or preverbal children in which patterned stimuli are presented to the right or left, and the movement of the individual's eyes is noted. Also known as Teller acuity cards.

Functional vision

A degree of vision sufficient to be of use in performing a given task, such as reading or sewing.

Functional vision assessment (FVA)

An assessment of an individual's use of vision in a variety of tasks and settings, including measures of near and distance vision; visual fields; eye movements; and responses to specific environmental characteristics, such as light and color. The assessment report includes recommendations for instructional procedures, modifications or adaptations, and additional tests. Also known as functional vision evaluation (FVE).

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G

Gesture

A body movement that conveys a message, such as waving to indicate "bye-bye" or turning away to indicate "I don't like this."

Glaucoma

A disease in which increased intraocular pressure results in the degeneration of the optic disk and eventual defects in the visual field. If not treated, the outcome is total blindness.

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H

Home-based services

Services provided in an individual's home, rather than at an agency or in the community.

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I

Incidental learning

Learning gained by observing persons and activities around us within our immediate environment.

Inclusion

An educational philosophy that advocates placing students with disabilities in general education classrooms with children who are not disabled for all or part of the school day; often used interchangeably with mainstreaming.

Indirect service

Information, consultation, or other support provided by a professional or agency to an individual or group, as opposed to the hands-on provision of therapeutic or other services. Also, as specified on an Individualized Education Program (IEP), consultation or other support provided by a teacher or other service provider, as opposed to face-to-face instruction or therapy.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

A written plan of instruction by an educational team, which includes a student's present levels of educational performance, annual goals, short-term objectives, specific services needed, duration of services, evaluation, and related information. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), each student receiving special education services must have such a plan.

Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)

A plan for the coordination of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, similar to the Individualized Education Program (IEP) that is required for all school-age children with disabilities. A requirement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The federal legislation that mandates and safeguards a free, appropriate public education for all eligible children with disabilities in the United States.

Itinerant teacher

An instructor who moves from place to place (e.g., from home to home, school to hospital, or school to school) to provide instruction and support to students with special needs.

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L

Learned helplessness

Decreased motivation and responsiveness in certain situations on the basis of previous similar experiences that were unpredictable and uncontrollable. The person does not have a sense of control or competence.

Learning media

The formats and methods that best enable a student who is visually impaired to learn, such as braille, closed-circuit television (CCTV), magnifiers, and audiotapes.

Learning media assessment (LMA)

An examination of a student's ability to use general learning materials and determination of any specialized formats he or she needs to complete current and future reading and writing tasks.

Least restrictive environment (LRE)

An environment that is adapted only to the extent necessary to maximize learning for a student who is disabled; also, the setting in which a child with disabilities can be provided with an appropriate education and maximum contact with nondisabled students.

Leber's congenital amaurosis

A rare inherited degenerative disease of the retina in which blindness or severe low vision in both eyes is present at birth. Although eye examinations of infants reveal normal-appearing retinas, electroretinograms detect little or no retinal activity. Other eye-related conditions associated with this disease are deep-set eyes, nystagmus, and sensitivity to light. Other associated conditions are epilepsy, developmental delay, and impaired motor skills.

Legal blindness

Visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye after best correction with conventional lenses, or a visual field of no greater than 20 degrees in the better eye.

Light perception

The ability to discern the presence or absence of light, but not its source or direction.

Literacy medium

The material or method that a student uses to read and write, including print, braille, and audiotapes.

Long cane

A mobility device in the shape of a cane. Also known as a white cane.

Low vision

A visual impairment that is severe enough to interfere with everyday activities and cannot be corrected by ordinary eyeglasses or contact lenses; vision that may be usable to plan and perform daily tasks.

Low vision device

A device used to improve the ability of persons with visual impairments to use their vision. Low vision devices include optical devices such as magnifiers and telescopes as well as nonoptical devices such as bold-line felt-tip markers.

Low vision evaluation

A specialized clinical examination to assess the visual abilities and needs of an individual with low vision. Also referred to as a low vision examination.

Low vision specialist

An ophthalmologist or optometrist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of people with low vision, including the prescription of optical and nonoptical devices.

Low vision therapist

A professional who performs functional vision assessments following clinical low vision examinations and implements the recommendations of the low vision rehabilitation team. The low vision therapist may provide instruction in the use of functional vision as well as in the use of low vision devices. Also known as a certified low vision therapist (CLVT).

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M

Magnifier

A type of low vision device used to increase the size of an image based on lenses or lens systems; a magnifier may be mounted on a stand, handheld, or mounted in eyeglasses.

Mainstreaming

The placement of a student with a disability in a general education classroom with children who are not disabled for all or part of the school day; often used interchangeably with inclusion.

Mobility

The act of moving or the ability to move from one's present position to one's desired position in another part of the environment. See also orientation.

Mobility skills

A set of specific techniques and strategies to help people with visual impairments remain safe while traveling.

Modifications

Changes to the standard of learning or performance, or the requirements that a student needs to meet, for a learning task, such as being taught material at a lower grade level, being tested at a lower grade level, or being taught fewer skills in the curriculum at the same grade level.

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N

National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)

A part of the U.S. Library of Congress that loans free reading materials on tape, on disk, or in braille through a network of libraries throughout the country to individuals who are unable to read regular print books because of a visual or physical disability.

Near vision

The use of vision to accomplish tasks, such as eating, playing with a toy, or reading, that occur within 8-12 inches of an individual.

Nemeth code

A braille code system designed for use in science and mathematics.

Nonoptical devices

Low vision devices that do not involve optics, such as high-intensity lamps or bold-lined paper.

Nystagmus

An involuntary, rapid movement of the eyes, usually rhythmical and faster in one direction that may be side to side or up and down.

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O

Object cue

A piece of an object or an object associated with an activity or person that is used to represent the activity or person. May be used on a communication board.

Occupational therapist (OT)

A professional who uses specific activities to improve an individual's physical, social, psychological, or intellectual development, focusing on the development of fine motor skills and perceptual abilities.

Ocular albinism

A hereditary condition that results in pigmentation loss in the retinal pigment epithelium, iris, and choroid.

Oculocutaneous albinism

The congential lack of pigment in the iris, choroid, hair, and skin that results in reduced acuity, light sensitivity, and nystagmus.

Ophthalmologist

A physician who specializes in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and is qualified to prescribe ocular medications and to perform surgery on the eyes. He or she may also perform refractive and low vision work, including eye examinations and other vision services.

Optic atrophy

An ocular condition characterized by degeneration of the optic nerve and resulting in loss of vision and construction of the visual fields.

Optic nerve atrophy

The degeneration or malfunction of the optic nerve, characterized by a pale optic disk.

Optic nerve hypoplasia

A congenitally small optic disk, usually surrounded by a light halo and representing a regression in growth during the prenatal period; may result in reduced visual acuity.

Optical character recognition (OCR)

A system used to convert printed material into computer files so it can be produced in a form (such as braille or voice output) that is useful for people with sensory losses, using a scanner interfaced with a computer.

Optical device

Any system of lenses that enhances visual function.

Optometrist

A health care provider who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of refractive errors and other eye conditions, and who prescribes and dispenses eyeglasses or contact lenses, as regulated by state laws. May also perform low vision examinations.

Orientation

The knowledge of one's distance and direction relative to things observed or remembered in one's surroundings and the ability to keep track of these spatial relationships as they change during locomotion. See also mobility.

Orientation and mobility (O&M)

The field dealing with systematic techniques by which persons who are blind or visually impaired orient themselves to their environments and move about independently. See also mobility, orientation.

Orientation and mobility (O&M) specialist

A professional who specializes in teaching travel skills to persons who are visually impaired, including the use of canes, dog guides, and electronic traveling aids, as well as the use of human guides. Also known as an O&M instructor; certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS).

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P

Partial sight

A term formerly often used to indicate visual acuity of 20/70 to 20/200 but also used to describe visual impairment in which usable vision is present.

Peripheral vision

The perception of objects, motion, or color outside the direct line of vision or by other than the central retina.

Personal digital assistant (PDA)

See electronic notetaker

Photophobia

Light sensitivity to an uncomfortable degree; usually symptomatic of other ocular disorders or diseases.

Physical therapist (PT)

A professional who focuses on the development, correction, and prevention of motor problems (those involving muscular movement).

Preliteracy skills

Skills that help prepare a child's interest in and ability to read.

Prompt

An instructional cue or procedure that helps a child to respond correctly. A hierarchy of prompts, from the least to the most intrusive, is a natural cue, visual-tactile cue, gestural cue, indirect verbal cue, direct verbal cue, modeling, a physical prompt, and physical guidance.

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R

Refreshable braille display

An electronic device using small pins to display in braille the text that appears on a computer or electronic notetaker.

Related services

Services required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education.

Resource room

A service delivery option designed to support students with visual impairments who are enrolled in a general education classroom by providing specialized instruction and support from a qualified teacher who is housed on site.

Retinal detachment

The separation of the retina from the underlying choroid, nearly always caused by a retinal tear, which allows fluid to accumulate between the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium. It usually requires surgical intervention to prevent loss of vision.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP)

A hereditary degeneration and atrophy of the retina, of unknown etiology; causes night blindness and results in optic atrophy and construction of the peripheral visual fields.

Retinoblastoma

An intraocular malignant tumor of early childhood, often hereditary or caused by a mutated gene. Symptoms include redness, pain, inflammation, or a gray or white pupil. Treatment options include chemotherapy, cryotherapy, radiation, and enucleation (surgical removal of the eye).

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)

A series of retinal changes (formerly called retrolental fibroplasia), from mild to total retinal detachment, seen primarily in premature infants, that may be arrested at any stage. Believed to be connected to immature blood vessels in the eye stimulated in reaction to oxygen, but may be primarily the result of prematurity with very low birthweight. Functional vision can range from near normal to total blindness.

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S

Scanner

A device that uses a moving electronic beam to convert visual images, such as printed text or graphic images, into an electronic format that can be transmitted or converted into other formats.

Screen reader

A computer program that translates print characters on a computer screen into their sound equivalents as part of a speech output system. These sounds are then "spoken" as words by the speech synthesizer component of the system.

Screen magnification system

A computer system that electronically enlarges the characters displayed on a computer monitor.

Sensory channel

A sense through which an individual acquires information, such as vision or touch.

Slate and stylus

A portable, lightweight device used to write braille. It consists of a frame in which braille paper is placed with rows of small round indentations arranged in the shape of braille cells and a pen-like instrument used to punch indentations into the paper.

Snellen chart

The traditional eye chart whose top line consists of the letter E and which is used in routine eye examinations.

Special education

Specially designed instruction, provided at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability to receive a free and appropriate public education.

Speech output system

A computer-based system that converts text displayed as print into simulated speech.

Speech synthesizer

Part of a speech output system that provides the spoken equivalent of the print text displayed on a computer monitor.

Speech therapist

A professional in the area of communication techniques and speech and language pathology who teaches people to improve their spoken communication. Also known as a speech language pathologist (SLP); speech teacher.

Stargardt's dystrophy

A condition transmitted in an autosomalrecessive manner, in which the macular pigment epithelium slowly degenerates, leading to loss of central vision.

Synthetic speech

Reading aloud of text, such as that on a computer screen, produced by a combination of screen reader software that can read the text and a speech synthesizer that can convert that text into speech.

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T

Tactile

Related to or experienced through the sense of touch.

Tactile skills

The ability to explore an object systematically, enabling a person to observe all the features of that object by using his or her sense of touch.

Talking Book program

A free national library program administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped of the Library of Congress for persons with visual and physical limitations. Books and magazines are produced in braille, in electronic formats, and on recorded discs and audiocassettes and are distributed to a cooperative network of regional libraries that circulate them to eligible borrowers. The program also lends the devices on which the recordings are played.

Tangible symbol

An object, a piece of an object, or an abstract concrete form that is used as a referent for a person, place, or activity. May be used on a communication board.

Teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI)

A specially trained and certified teacher who is qualified to teach special skills to students with visual impairments. Also known as a vision teacher; blind teacher; braille teacher; vision consultant; VI teacher.

Telescope

A low vision device that uses lenses or lens systems to make small objects appear closer and larger.

Touch cue

A communication method that conveys a message to a child by touching him or her in a consistent way.

Transition Individualized Education Program

A program, written for a student age 16 and older, that addresses the need for transitional services in the areas of employment, education and training, leisure and recreation, and living arrangements. It details proposed activities to achieve desired outcomes, establishes timetables for reaching these goals, and assigns responsibility for providing support to the agencies and individuals responsible for following through on each activity. Also known as an Individualized Transition Plan (ITP). See also Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Transition services

Assistance, instruction, and planning for an individual who is making a change to a different type of environment and from one system of services to another. Transitional services are required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for toddlers who are moving from early intervention services to preschool or other appropriate services; and for young adults who are moving from school to community living and employment or from secondary school to higher education.

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U

Usher Syndrome

The hereditary degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium, accompanied by congenital nerve deafness.

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V

Visual acuity

The sharpness or clearness of a person's vision; how much detail a person can see, usually measured by a standard eye chart.

Visual acuity test

An assessment of detailed central vision; infants are tested by ascertaining pupillary responses to light and later, light fixation reflexes; subsequent assessments include the standard Snellen Chart and other charts.

Visual cluster

A combination of images and background that provides distracting details for some individuals who have figure-ground difficulties, that is, cannot select a single object from the background.

Visual efficiency

The degree to which specific visual tasks can be performed with ease, comfort, and minimum time, contingent on personal and environmental variables; the extent to which available vision is used effectively.

Visual field

The area that can be seen when looking straight ahead, measured in degrees from the fixation point.

Visual fixation

The direction of the eye toward an object to be viewed.

Visual impairment

Any degree of vision loss that affects a person's ability to perform the tasks of daily life.

Vocational rehabilitation (VR)

A system of services that evaluates personal, work, and work-related traits and is designed to result in the individual's optimal placement in employment.

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