Reducing Complexity on Surfaces

The child’s learning surfaces are a perfect place to control complexity.  Put yourself in the child’s shoes as you assess the complexity of the environment.  Is there glare, distracting movement, multiple colors in the a background or is there a good solid color background to get a good look at the important learning materials?

  

Here is a picture of a clear tray that comes with most wheelchairs.  It is a terrible surface for optimal visual abilities.  The child sees moving legs (movement and multiple colors), the tray produces glare and provides no solid background.

 

Here is a solid black background that takes care of the problem.  It is made of black plastic and attached with velco.