The Secondary Schools' Visual Impairment Service

The Secondary Schools' Visual Impairment (Education) Team assists School staff with the development of key strategies for the pupil so that they can fully access the curriculum and learning. We aim to minimise the effect, where possible, of a visual impairment through support and advice and also to promote understanding of visual impairment. It is vital for any pupil who has a visual impairment that early identification and assessment of the pupil's educational needs take place. This is to ensure that barriers to learning are overcome and the correct supports are accessed for the pupil.

The Secondary Schools' Team service would meet with link Support Staff in NLC and SLC Secondary Schools to:

• Consider the vision needs of pupils, who have a visual impairment, in their school.
• Support the planning for how best to facilitate a pupil's access to the curriculum and learning. This would include recommendations for Low Vision Aid use, ICT / Assistive Technology provision and advice about the adaptation of learning resources (including large print).
• Consider the pupil's Skills Development (Skills for Life, Learning & Work), in relation to their vision, and provide advice in accessing other supports for the pupil. For example, the Lanarkshire Developmental Vision Team (and its constituent Low Vision Aid Clinic and the Developmental Vision Clinics), Mobility & Habilitation Services, Educational Psychologists and 3rd Sector partners.
• Provide, in collaboration with Careers Advisers from SDS, input to the Future Planning Process and life beyond school for the pupil in terms of career planning.

Typically, the Secondary Schools' Visual Impairment (Education) Team service would meet with pupils in NLC and SLC Secondary Schools to:

• Assess their vision, either as part of the New Referral process, or as pupils who are known to the service. However, we do not diagnose visual impairments.
• Discuss with them aspects of their vision, vision needs and how they can be best supported to access the curriculum and learning. This would include discussions about Low Vision Aid use and ICT / Assistive Technology use.

Helping them to understand their visual impairment and to develop strategies to overcome barriers and promote independence.

The member of staff leading the Secondary Schools Visual Impairment Service (Education) for NLC & SLC is:

• Mrs Geraldine Maguire

If you would like to contact the Service then please do so using the contact details below:

They are:

• The Information Leaflet for the Secondary Schools Visual Impairment Service (Education) for NLC & SLC.
• The Pathway for the Secondary Schools Visual Impairment Service (Education) for NLC & SLC.
• A Guide to the New Referral process for the Service.
• A Request for Assistance form.