Perspectives of Visually Impaired StudentsAn OverviewPerspectives of Visually Impaired StudentsAn Overview

Sharron Sturgess

University Disability Officer

Sharron Sturgess

University Disability Officer

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What is a visual impairment?According to the RNIB

A person can register as severely sight impaired (blind) if they can only read the top letter of the optician’s eye chart from three metres or less.

A person can register as sight impaired (partially sighted) if they can only read the top letter of the chart from six metres or less.

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The RNIB goes on to say:

“There are around two million people in the UK with a sight problem, i.e. that while wearing glasses they are still unable to recognise someone across the road or have difficulty reading newsprint.

Among these two million people, over 370,000 are registered as blind or partially sighted. There are another 20% who are eligible for registration but have not done so.”

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Common causes of sight problems

Some people will be affected by a sight problem from birth.

Others may inherit an eye condition.

Some people may lose their sight as the result of an accident.

Illness can lead to conditions such as diabetic retinopathy.

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Cont…

Some ethnic groups are at a higher risk of acquiring certain eye conditions. Socio-economic factors, Trachoma, responsible for 15% of the world’s blindness, is caused by poor hygiene and inadequate sanitation.Age-related eye conditions, 95% of people with sight problems in the UK are 65 or over.

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What do VI people see? According to the RNIB

Being blind does not always mean that a person is living in total darkness. 49% of blind people and 80% of partially sighted people can recognise a friend at arm’s length.Around one-fifth of people who are registered blind have some light perception vision or lower. The rest will have some useful sight.

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Furthermore…

Different eye conditions affect sight in different ways for example:

Glaucoma can result in tunnel vision, where all side vision is lost and only central vision remains. Diabetic retinopathy can cause blurred and patchy vision. Macular degeneration can lead to a loss of central vision whilst side vision remains.

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Who are our VI students?

UCAS code 2 declarations may include;

Registered BlindRegistered Partially SightedColour blindIrlens syndromeThose who have correctable sight conditions such as short sightedness

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Cont…

But VI students also include;

Those who lose their sight during their studiesThose whose sight continues to deteriorate beyond a point at which they can study without supportThose who don’t declare because they don’t know support is available, for example international students

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What are their support needs?

Need to consider:

Previous educational background

Previous level of support

The course of study

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Non educational needs

Being a student

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Previous educational background

Visually impaired school children

Pre 1990sSegregated

Education in a Special school

1990s Integrated unit attached to a

mainstream school

TodayInclusion in a

mainstream setting

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Previous support

Resources

Use of humansupport

Exam Concessions

Use of Technology

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Course of study

Placement

Use of visualresources

Teaching methodology

Practicals

Assessment

Course of study

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DSA – Where are they in the process?

Evidence

Application

Assessment of Needs

LEA Approval

Equipment/Support in place

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Non-academic needs

Accommodation

Mobility and Orientation

Practical issues

Financial needs

Mental health issues

Social integration

Transport issues

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Money

Academic success

Home sickness

Relationships

Health, physical, mental and sexual

Being accepted

Making friends

Accommodation

Workload

Taking responsibility for yourself

A student first

Common problems all students face regardless of impairment or additional need: