Royal Blind has launched a new campaign calling for increased support for visually impaired school pupils
A charity has called for greater support for school pupils with sight difficulties.
Royal Blind has launched a new campaign today (23 October) calling for better chances in education for visually impaired children.
The charity’s new campaign - Our Vision for Equal Education - highlights the need for increased support in Scotland’s schools for blind and partially sighted pupils, with up to 80% of learning in schools revolving around vision.
The organisation is concerned that a reduction in the amount of specialist teaching is leading to a drop in attainment for visually impaired pupils.
The campaign calls for recruitment and retention of specialist teachers, a new training qualification to help education staff support pupils, a pupil-centred placement system and more effective transitions between schools for pupils.
Mark O’Donnell, Chief Executive of Royal Blind said: “The Scottish Government’s school census figures show that the number of pupils with vision impairment has more than doubled, from 2,005 in 2010 to 4,331 in 2017.
“However, over the same period there has been a reduction in the number of specialist teachers for children and young people with vision impairment. Our vision for equal education is that all pupils with vision impairment receive the specialist support they need to succeed, whether that be in mainstream or a specialist setting like the Royal Blind School.
“This needs to be a shared vision for blind and partially sighted young people, because we need to work together in government, parliament, local authorities and the third sector to make this happen.”
Specialist support has had amazing results
In 2017, the Royal Blind School began to provide the vision impairment service for East Lothian delivering specialist education and support to pupils with vision impairment across the local authority.
The East Lothian Vision Impairment Service (ELVIS) enables pupils to access learning through the use of Braille, large print, specialist technology and adapted learning materials, such as tactile diagrams, whilst offering support in developing independence skills and social skills. ELVIS also assists pupils and staff at crucial times of transition.
Chris, aged 11, was one of the first pupils to be supported by the service. His deteriorating vision had left him worried about the future and struggling to keep up with his schoolwork. Now, in addition to one-to-one support provided in-school, he is supported four days per week by his ELVIS teachers, is learning Braille, and has regained his confidence.
Chris’ mum Heather, said: “The difference in Chris in just a year has been amazing. He has two very dedicated, knowledgeable and very professional members of the ELVIS staff team. It was recognised that there was a need for Chris to learn Braille before starting high school and knew that time was a factor so everything was in place very quickly and he was up and running in no time. They provide support by adapting materials for Chris and ensuring he is able to fully access his classes as well as his sighted classmates can.
“The year before ELVIS, Chris’ sight had deteriorated quite quickly and he had no confidence whatsoever. We were all really struggling. His sight loss was impacting on absolutely everything. He was constantly worrying about the future. He wasn’t able to keep up with his schoolwork and he would say over breakfast that he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to get a job and be able to afford nice food – huge worries for such a young child. Things had gotten so bad he was attending counselling.
“Now, it’s just about a year later and Chris is reading Braille which he had never done before. He’s taken to it so quickly and seems to really enjoy reading. His confidence is back and he’s like a different child.”
