All children and young people with vision impairment (VI) in Scotland should have access to an appropriate and equitable education. The launch of the new Curriculum Framework for Children and Young People with Vision Impairment (CFVI) is an important step forward in recognising that action is needed for that to happen.
As an organisation, Sight Scotland, which includes the Royal Blind School, fully supports the CFVI’s recommendations that access to teaching specialists is crucial if we are to address the significant inequities that exist.
Through the support we provide at the Royal Blind School, and via our outreach service in mainstream schools, we see first-hand the difference specialist support can make. The report states that we must build on Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence by supporting our young people with VI through a range of independent learning, mobility, everyday living and social communication skills. Ideally, these should be taught by qualified teachers of children and young people with vision impairment (QTVI), habilitation specialists and specialist pupil/learning support assistants.
Calls for action in the CFVI report include that it should be: recognised and referenced in Scotland’s additional support for learning policies; embedded in local authority service delivery frameworks; followed in all educational settings that support children and young people with VI and their families, in partnership with VI specialists; embedded within competence frameworks for teachers of children and young people with VI and habilitation specialists across the UK.
Access to these learning areas and teaching specialists is variable and differences in provision across local authorities mean that many young people miss out. The report details the significant consequences for children and young people, which are evident in attainment and employment gaps.
Our ambition at Sight Scotland is to bridge the gap between children with VI and the general population, and thus reduce the chances of them not being in long-term education, employment or training. This is essential if we are to combat poor social inclusion, mental health and wellbeing.
Sight Scotland’s team of specialist QTVIs, habilitation specialists and learning support staff work alongside colleagues in mainstream education to meet the learning goals of children and young people, with support customised to each pupil’s needs. The service also includes supporting visually impaired pupils’ mobility and life skills to help build their independence.
Through local authority contracts, Sight Scotland is supporting mainstream schools in Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian, as well as in the Orkney Isles. We are committed to helping more young people with VI across Scotland get the best possible education.
For children and young people in mainstream education, this support can be beneficial, not only to ensure they get the best possible learning experience but also the skills to contribute confidently to society.
The difference specialist help can make
Samantha Gough, 18, of Lasswade, Midlothian, is a great example of someone who has really benefited from such support. For the last year, Sam, who is now severely sight impaired, has had a flexible placement with the Royal Blind School. She splits her schooling between her mainstream school and the Royal Blind School, where she receives teaching and support from our specialist team, including QTVIs and habilitation specialists.
Sam says this tailored specialist teaching and the opportunity to learn independent living skills with specialist teachers has been “life changing”. She has been learning how to use Braille, which has enabled her to reconnect with reading and writing, and is now working with different technologies, such as a BrailleNote Touch. Sam has also been working on her mobility and independent living skills, such as using public transport, going to the shops and cooking.
We see just how important specialist education is for children and young people who are blind or partially sighted. The number of pupils in Scotland with a VI is close to reaching 5,000, and all should have full access to their education. It is crucial that they are provided with the additional VI support they require to learn, develop and live independently.
The title of the CFVI report is Unlocking Education for All, yet access to specialist support is fragmented across Scotland. That’s why we’re calling on the Scottish government to embed the framework into their additional support needs policies - so that children and young people with a visual impairment aren’t left behind.
Michael Craig is trustee chair of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans
