Vision Impairment Team
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Who are the Vision Impairment Team
The Vision Impairment Team consists of Qualified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (QTVI’s) and Specialist Learning Support Practitioners (SpLSP-VI) who work under the direction of the QTVI’s.
The team supports children and young people aged 0-25 years with a vision impairment at home, in early years settings, mainstream and special schools.
This support continues throughout school and sometimes into further education. This forms part of Walsall’s Local Offer and is part of the Sensory Inclusion Team.
What are the aims of the Service?
Vision is a sense that gives us information about the world; it is often referred to as the ‘coordinating sense’ and helps us understand information as a whole rather than as fragmented information from hearing, touch, and smell.
Visual impairment, including blindness, means an impairment in vision that, even with correction, affects a child's educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness.
Vision impairment can have an impact on all areas of development. In the early years, children may need more help to make sense of the world around them and when they are older, support to access the curriculum, activities and become independent.
Our aim is to ensure that children with a visual impairment are fully included and able to access the curriculum in line with their fully sighted peers.
Input is designed to ensure that the specific needs of each individual are met. Careful assessments are made and the level and type of support is reviewed regularly.
What will the Vision Impairment Team provide?
Support may include:
- Visiting homes, pre-school groups, nurseries, schools and colleges
- providing advice, information and support to parents/carers and professionals
- Assess and check functional vision
- Offering training to the setting
- Providing advice for teachers and parents/carers on access to the curriculum in mainstream and special schools
- Setting and reviewing targets with staff in schools
- Teaching of specialist skills: e.g. Braille, visual perception skills
- Assessment of the need for specialist equipment and training in its use
- Referral to a Rehabilitation Officer for a mobility assessment and life skill training
- ICT advice and touch typing training
- Training in the use of low vision aids such as magnifiers
- Specialist advice to the Local Authority as part of any assessment process such as Education Health and Care Plans
- Provide opportunities for sensory impaired C&YP to access activities and to meet together
More information
Vision Impaired Team, Sensory Inclusion Team - Walsall Children’s Services, Tel: 01922 652860
Educational Development Centre, Pelsall Lane, Rushall, Walsall, WS4 1NG
Email: EDCAdminTeam@walsall.gov.uk
