IWBs and Epilepsy

[hardtailstar]

Hi All,

 

Just a query on this,

 

We have a teacher that has got possibly Epilepsy (going through tests) and I wondered how do you cope with this in classrooms with IWBs

 

So what measures have you got in place to combat any projector going faulty, I know this cant always been seen before hand.

 

What kinda things help someone with Epilepsy in the classroom?

 

Plus any other input would be great.

 

We do have a medical plan if she does have a fit so I want to help at the stages before that.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Bill

[Oaktech]

I've never had to combat epilepsy directly, but we had a teacher at my last place who was told by his optician that the deterioration in his eyesight was almost certainly caused by use of a projector. We just swapped his conventional projector for a UST so at no point was he looking directly at the lamp.

 

You might want to look into a 65" interactive panel.

 

Keep the refresh rates on monitors as high as possible

 

Ask site management to look into high frequency flourescent tubes for classrooms.

[eyetea]

Do you know if she is photosensitive? According to Epilepsy Action only 3% of people who have epilepsy suffer from the photosensitive trigger. It may be a case of you don't need to do anything as she's not photosensitive.

[Lewys]

As long as there isn't any flashing or flickering material being projected, they should be fine.

 

The lighting in the room should be more of a concern. Fluorescent strip lights and light bulbs can trigger a seizure when they start to go or are faulty.

 

I have worked with people with photosensitive ep. and projectors have never been an issue. Like TV's; as long as their isn't anything flickering being displayed on them.

[hardtailstar]

Do you know if she is photosensitive? According to Epilepsy Action only 3% of people who have epilepsy suffer from the photosensitive trigger. It may be a case of you don't need to do anything as she's not photosensitive.

 

Shes still going through tests at the moment. Im just looking at all options for the time being so can sort things out as soon as results and a diagnosis comes back.

[Pyroman]

We have kids + staff with epilepsy and i've never had to do anything special with whiteboards/plasma screens.

[Garacesh]

Do you know if she is photosensitive? According to Epilepsy Action only 3% of people who have epilepsy suffer from the photosensitive trigger. It may be a case of you don't need to do anything as she's not photosensitive.

 

A valid point.. Epilepsy ≠ Photosensitive Epilepsy, you may need to do nothing.

As long as there's no flashing lights (I believe red and blue are the most common triggers) you should be safe - but that's something you should be looking into anyway as you may have photosensitive epileptic students, too.

[hardtailstar]

It may be education (i know !! shock horror!!) on how to use a projector and best practice on how to use it is all that's required.

I know many a staff member that has a desk in such a way as they get full glare from it. They also talk to the class in the projector beam, as a form of habit, and all these things add up.

 

Id put to management that they should have this written into school policy and make a special note of 'reminding' vulnerable staff to read and take note.

 

I have already sent an email to the Head suggesting this.