Art and design at KS3 and visual impairment

The challenges of visual impairment have more impact at KS3, when pupils need to follow the sequence of investigating, analysing, designing, making and reflecting. Investigating is hard without good sight.

You can:

• Use the internet for research (for pupils with some sight), displaying pages on a whiteboard so they are as easy to see as possible. Alter the contrast to make the image clearer. For pupils with little or no functional vision, their investigation will be dependent on touch and information supplied by others.
• Explore new technology; 3-D printers will be enormously helpful for visually impaired pupils. Meanwhile make the subject matter relevant and within the pupil’s experience. Work on abstract art and mixed media that includes sound, smell and touch.
• Try to build up relevant vocabulary depending on the degree of visual impairment. Decide on the relevance of words that are meaningless without good sight, such as the fine detail given by different types of brush strokes in a painting, or subtle shades of colours.
• Choose to study art which uses bright colours and  bold lines.