CAUSES OF HANDICAPS

PRENATAL FACTORS
Genetic or Chromosomal aberrations blood
incompatibility / defective transfer of genes
Prematurity premature birth ( earlier than 9 months )
Infection highly communicable disease infect fetus in the
womb (rubella, venereal and other diseases)
Malnutrition insufficient intake of nutrients
Irradiation exposure of pregnant to radioactive elements
Metabolic disturbance inability of both mother and fetus to
make use of food intake
Drug abuse high quantity intake of medicine
PERINATAL FACTORS

Birth Injuries injuries suffered by newborn babies

Difficult labor lack of oxygen intake of mother to fetus due
to prolonged labor
Hemorrphage profuse bleeding of the mother
POSTNATAL FACTORS
Infections caused by illness such as diphtheria, typhoid,
meningitis, encephalomyelitis and rickets in infants.
Tumor / Abscess in the brain affects braincells connected with
movement
Fractures and Dislocations destructions of mobility organs
Tuberculosis of the bones due to TB germs that attack the bones
Cerebrovascular injuries injuries in the head region
Post-seizure or post-surgical complications convulsions after the
delivery of the baby
Arthritis, Rheumatism diseases affecting the muscles and bones
(spinal column) responsible for locomotion
SENSORY IMPAIRMENT
Visual impairment
Blindness
Visual Impairment
-The definition ofvision impairmentby the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says avisually
impairedperson's eyesight cannot be corrected to a normal
level. It may be said thatvisual impairmentis the
functional limitation of the eye or eyes or thevisionsystem.
Visual impairment is defined as the limitation of actions and
functions of the visual system. The National Eye Institute
defines low vision as a visual impairment not correctable by
standard glasses, contact lenses, medication or surgery that
interferes with the ability to perform activities of daily living.
 VISUAL IMPAIRMENT
THIS LEADS TO (1-5)
LOSS OF VISUAL ACUITY AND INABILITY OF THE PERSON TO SEE OBJECTS AS
CLEARLY AS A HEALTHY PERSON
LOSS OF VISUAL FIELD MEANING INABILITY OF AN INDIVIDUAL TO SEE AS WIDE
AN AREA AS THE AVERAGE PERSON WITHOUT MOVING THE EYES OR TURNING THE
HEAD.
PHOTOPHOBIA INABILITY TO LOOK AT LIGHT
DIPLOPIA DOUBLE VISION
VISUAL DISTORTION OR DISTORTION OF IMAGES
VISUAL PERCEPTUAL DIFFICULTIES OR DIFFICULTIES OF PERCEPTION
OR ANY COMBINATION OF THE ABOVE FEATURES
CAUSES OF VISION IMPAIRMENT

Vision may be impaired due to multiple reasons. These could

be due to eye damage, failure of the brain to receive and
read the visual cues sent by the eyes etc.
The commonest cause is diabetic retinopathy,
age-related macular degeneration, formation of cataracts and
raised pressure within the eyes leading to glaucoma.
 BLINDNESS

Blindness is the inability of the person to see anything.

When vision is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correction
or when the visual field is less than what is normal. The
measure 20/200 mean that the person can see at 20 feet
what a normal sighted individual can see at 200 feet.
 Visually handicapped is a form of visual impairment
which, even with correction, still cannot achieve a
normal education performance. The term includes the
partially seeing and the blind.
Partially sighted children are those with low
vision. They are able to use print, with or without
aids, as their main medium for performing in school.
Low vision students are able to see but the visual
impairment interfere with using vision for learning.
Blind students are those with so little vision and
can learn through the use of BRAILLE.
THE MOST COMMON VISUAL PROBLEMS

Reduced visual acuity

Amblyopia
Poor sight
Hyperopia Lazy eye

Farsightedness
Myopia Nearsightedness

Imperfect vision
Astigmatism
OTHER VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS WHICH
AFFECTS STUDENTS
Albinism -rapid, involuntary side movement of the eyeball or nystagmus
Cataract the leans of the eye change from a clear, transparent
structure to a cloudy or opaque one
Macular degeneration the central part of retina which is called
mascula is affected. The remaining peripheral vision can see large
objects and colors but not to read.
Diabetic retinopathy it is the leading cause of new cases of blindness
and characterized hemorrhaging of the tiny vessels of the retina. As a
consequence, vision is blurred or distorted.
OTHER VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS WHICH
AFFECTS STUDENTS
Glaucoma it is characterized by increased pressure within the eye,
gradual loss vision, beginning with peripheral vision.
Retinitis Pigmentosa it is inherited condition which begins with the
loss of night vision and leads to gradually decreasing peripherical
vision. The dark pigment of the retina, essential for vision, is slowly
lost causing a gradual reduction in the visual field.
Retinopathy of prematurity (deterioration of the retina) this is
caused by the high level of oxygen required for survival of
premature infants who would not have previously survived.
 Visual impairments affect individuals
development. Students with visual impairments are
visually uncoordinated in their movements caused
by the inability to develop the needed physical
skills. Their appearance is awkward since they are
not able to pay attention to their personal
appearance, thus, have to be reminded of their
posture.