E-Learning in the K-6 Classroom

My 9-year-old daughter lives with a significant vision impairment. She was diagnosed with cancer, in both eyes, as a baby (Bilateral Retinoblastoma) and endured almost 2 years of chemotherapy, laser therapy and cryotherapy in a bid to save her sight (and more importantly, her life). Sadly she lost her left eye when she was 2 but luckily she still has usable vision in her right eye. She has recently started learning braille and touch typing as there is a concern that she will fall behind her peers when she gets to high-school, due to the volume of reading required. I often think about how lucky we are that she was born when she was as technology not only saved her life, but will also help to make her journey though life much smoother than the road travelled by children with this disease 100 years ago (who would have lost both eyes if they survived at all).

Due to the technology available to her today (along with the support of various specialists and Vision Australia), she has every opportunity to excel at school and go on to any career that she chooses. I treat her the same as a fully-sighted child as I believe she will not be held back by her vision impairment… the world is her oyster and that is largely due to the technology available to her.
If you are interested have a look at this ‘Adaptive Technology Guide’ from Vision Australia which explains some of the devices available to aid people with a vision impairment.