Creativity expressed by the Visually Impaired

Brief description of session and activities

I will draw from my previous research called Seeing is Believing (SiB) where volunteers with various levels of visual impairment (V.I.) took part in examining how they could fully participate and work along side visual students in design and garment realisation.

The session will examine how V.I. students embraced the learning processes and how the programme made it accessible for them to achieve in the same learning environment as visual students. I will share how V.I., visual students and tutor collaborated to seek solutions to overcome challenges and used methods such as tactile diagrams to validate accessible learning and teaching.

Methods of formative and summative assessment are explored particularly where written work is the norm but may not be accessible for all V.I. students. It should be noted that not all V.I. persons uses Braille.

Activities will centre around using various technology which will support making reasonable adjustments towards accessible learning and formative assessment.

How will students be involved in the session?

Visually impaired students will share their experiences and demonstrate how they are able express their creativity through design development and working collaboratively with fully sighted students.

What will participants take away from the session?

The experience of using new technologies and a computer with Lunar Plus programme - currently available in open access at the JPS library.