Educating the Visually Impaired at LJC
Resource Person
The resource person is a specialist in the education of the visually impaired, she avails the students of information and materials that are relevant to their academic and social well-being. The resource teacher also teaches mobility training and daily living skills. Counselling services are also provided.
Resource Room
This is equipped with up to date facilities as it relates to the education of the visually challenged. Four computer workstations have been enhanced with appropriate hardware and software to cater for the special needs of the students. Other available resources include a portable Braille embosser, manual Perkins machines, manual typewriters, slates and stylus, tape recorders. The tape recorders are especially helpful as they can be used in the classroom to record notes and lectures with the assistance of the sighted students.
Computer Hardware and Software
The computer is perhaps the most useful learning resource available to the visually impaired student at Loyola Jesuit College. Each of the four students is attached to one of the specially enhanced workstations in the computer laboratory. They are then able to produce their notes and write their tests using a word processor. Additionally, teachers are able to produce Braille versions of their tests and other written instructions. The following are the software and hardware accessories installed on these workstations:
JAWS® for Windows
This screen-reading software is designed to enable the visually impaired use windows-based computer systems. It enables them to take advantage of Windows® graphical environment. Apart from echoing every keystroke of the user , it reads out each item on a menu as soon as the cursor is positioned on it, thus enabling them t o efficiently navigate and use common Windows® applications.
Duxbury® Braille Translator
This is a specially designed word processor for translating and editing text in both print and Braille. Users can type text directly into the edit window, or import text from a regular word processor such as Microsoft Word® or WordPerfect®. Once the text has been edited it may be translated into Braille and embossed on paper.
Braille Embosser
This is a special printer that is capable of producing Braille output on paper. It embosses the paper by firing electro-magnetically driven pins (called solenoids) into the paper, which is advanced by a tractor feed.
DoubleTalk® Voice Synthesiser
This is a voice synthesis/sound system that works with any screen reader program (e.g. JAWS® for Windows®) and some Windows applications to produce synthesised sound representations of all activities on the computer screen.
Braille Text Books
Efforts are made to make available Braille versions of recommended student textbooks. However due to inadequate facilities, the task of producing large volumes of Braille texts in-house is perhaps one of our greatest challenges.
Excursions
The school organises both social and educational excursions within and outside the school in which the blind students participate actively. For example, every student in SS1 must as part of the curriculum go for a leadership training excursion at Shere Hills in Jos, Plateau State Nigeria for a period of two weeks. The students are also encouraged to belong to different clubs in the school such as Brain Crackers, Health and Recreation, Current Affairs, Speech and Debate, Chef and Homemakers. Youth Against Aids, LJC Parliament, Information Technology etc.
Project Work
Every student in the school must carry out a project work either written or practical as instructed by the teacher in each of the subjects offered in the school.
Physical Education/Inter house sports Competition
The visually impaired students also participate in physical exercises as adapted by the instructor. On Inter house sports competition day, they participate in games like javelin and shot - put throwing and other track events.
Loyola Jesuit College, though a Christian school allows the students to practice their faith according to their religion. In conclusion it can be said that the visually impaired students in this institution are trained to develop spiritually, physically and intellectually.
Resource Person
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