About vision impairment
The term vision impairment is used to cover a range of conditions and a range of levels of vision and includes all blind and partially sighted people. A young person is thought to have a vision impairment if they have an eye condition that cannot be fully corrected using glasses.
There is often a wide variation in the degree of disability experienced by learners with vision impairment and, therefore, the amount of support they need. Where a learner does not have access to the same visual experiences and cues as their peers, their learning opportunities can be reduced.
Who is the course for?
Our Vision Impairment course is perfect for those who work with students in a further education setting such as teachers, college tutors, teaching assistants, heads of department and college leaders. This course is also useful for the parents/carers of students with a vision impairment.
Why join the course?
Participants’ pre and post-course evaluations demonstrate significantly increased confidence in identifying, assessing and supporting learners with a vision impairment.
Ability to meet the needs of learners with a vision impairment
- Not confident
- Somewhat confident
- Fairly confident
- Very confident
Pre
- 12.5%
- 33.3%
- 29.2%
- 25%
Post
- 8.3%
- 41.7%
- 50%
As of July 2019
This course looks at the impact that vision loss can have on a learner’s life and shows how you can make your practice more inclusive, offering practical assessment ideas and intervention strategies.
Course content
This course aims to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills of all those working with young people with a vision impairment to support inclusive practice.
-
Understanding
Understand what visual impairment is, how the eye works, how to identify the different types of vision loss, and the importance of inclusion in a further education setting. -
Assessment for Learning
Explore some of the formal and informal tests used to assess vision, including functional vision assessment, and learn how to assess the environment and its implications for learning. -
Interventions
Choose from a range of strategies to develop personalised programmes to ensure equality of access for learners with vision impairment. -
Case Studies
View real life examples that illustrate the needs of the individual, the interventions implemented and their resulting progress.
What you will learn
On successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:
- describe the impact that vision loss can have on student learning and social inclusion
- use checklists to carry out observations of a student’s functional vision
- set SMART goals for improving learner outcomes
- make appropriate adjustments in the classroom environment to support the learning and social inclusion of vision impaired students
- employ strategies to increase independent learning skills
- prepare students for transition to work or university