A Computing Education Vision for the Sight Impaired

Vision is the main sensory modality employed in learning. Vision impaired students thus find it increasingly difficult to access and process visuocentric learning materials and on-line delivery. This paper describes a research project undertaken by Curtin University in conjunction with Cisco Systems and the Association for the Blind WA to identify tools and techniques appropriate for vision impaired students studying computing at tertiary level. It investigates the learning characteristics of sight impaired students, and also describes the aims of the project, the approach taken in identifying and applying alternative modalities, and progress so far including some of the teaching aids used to assist learning complex concepts usually delivered by visual means