SEND - Local offer

A Qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (QTVI) is a term you will hear and see written in reports if your child is supported by our service. The following video from the RNIB and VIEW helps to explain:

The short answer is no! How much you see and how it affects different parts of your vision may depend on:

• The type of eye condition and which part of the visual system it affects - the eyes, the pathway for visual information to the brain or the brain itself
• How severely it affects sight
• How far it has progressed
• Whether it affects one or both eyes
• Whether it affects parts of your visual field (how far you can see on each side, top or bottom of vision with each eye)

Even then there are many other variables such as:

• Whether it is a stable condition or one that will change in the future
• How tired, unwell or anxious you are during the day
• Even children who have the same condition can be affected to a greater or lesser extent or experience vision differently to someone else who also has that condition.

The RNIB website below may be useful in explaining some of the aspects of your child’s visual condition.

RNIB Eye Conditions

It is useful to understand about your child’s visual condition. However, there are so many variables so it is important that you get information from the eye specialist who diagnosed them or is providing their on-going care. If you are still struggling to understand you can also speak to the QTVI who supports them.

The type and frequency of support we give depends on need and circumstances.  Each case is considered on its own merits based on a nationally recognised matrix that classifies vision into categories of:

• Mild
• Moderate
• Severe
• Profound

To try to illustrate what these categories may mean, the following contrast mild vision loss with a profound one:

Mild vision loss - Distance Vision Within the range 6/12 - 6/18 Snellen/Kay (LogMAR 0.3 – 0.48)

You would need to be 6 metres away to see what someone with fully corrected sight can see at between 12 and 18 metres away. This is a representation of 6/12 vision, vision is a little blurrier than if it was fully corrected.

6 metres is about as tall as an adult giraffe!

Compare this to a profound vision loss...

Profound vision loss - Distance Vision Less than (worse than) 6/120 Snellen/Kay (LogMAR 1.32+)

You would need to be 6 metres away to see what someone with fully corrected sight can see at 120 metres away. Or you may only know that there is a difference between light and shade. Or be completely blind. 

120 metres is the same height as the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower at the venue for the 2012 Olympics in London

Mild and profound near vision examples:

Mild vision loss - Able to comfortably access print size 14 to 18

Profound vision loss - Educationally blind/Braille user/can access small quantities of print larger than N36

Depending on their level of need, support will be given through visits ranging in frequency from multiple weekly visits, weekly, fortnightly, once or twice per term, once or twice per year.

This support will be provided by a QTVI, and may also involve our Access Support Assistants, Technical Officer and Habilitation Specialists.

The Sensory Inclusion Service (SIS) is not affiliated to any of the following organisations in any way.

Please use discretion when giving personal details to any organisation.

As well as the free advice and information most provide, some offer the chance to join or become a member and this may require you to pay a one off or annual fee payment.

The description of services and contact details were correct at the time of writing; the organisations may offer other services, withdraw services or change contact details and SIS does not have any responsibility or liability concerning the services offered or any changes to them.

Coping with visual impairment – Theo’s Story – BBC Teach – from BBC series ‘Same but Different’.

Understanding Visual Impairment: Lilly Grace from RNIB Video

Screen reader videos – RNIB – See differently

Apple accessibility videos – RNIB – See differently

Useful Videos from Guide Dogs UK

At the clinic your child may see different health professionals, depending on why they have been referred:

• a doctor specialising in ophthalmology (ophthalmologist)
• an optometrist: a specialist in testing vision and prescribing glasses for older children - also known as an optician
• an orthoptist: a specialist in testing the vision and ocular (eye) movements of infants, children and young people of all ages

In clinic:

• your child might have their eye sight tested and to get glasses or contact lenses if necessary
• have their visual development monitored (e.g. have further checks up during the year)
• photographs may be taken of your child’s eyes, if required
• your child’s visual field (peripheral vision), colour vision, contrast sensitivity or intraocular pressures may also be tested
• your child may have eye drops
• if your child wears glasses it is really very important that you bring your child’s glasses along to their appointment.

Eye drops help to dilate the pupil, this makes it easier for the ophthalmologist to examine the back of their eyes. These drops usually take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to take effect.  The drops take a few hours to wear off so your child’s vision will be blurrier than usual, and they may find light uncomfortable. Sunglasses and a peaked cap can help when they are outside.

Children and young people (CYP) who have a visual impairment (VI) may find it challenging to travel and do everyday tasks independently and safely. These mobility, orientation and living skills are known as habilitation skills.

Our service can assess the needs of CYP with VI and provide on-going programmes of support that will help them to develop skills to ensure that they can live as independently as possible.

We also audit the environment of educational settings and recommend adaptations to make them more suitable for a child or young person with a visual impairment.

We have a Registered and Qualified Habilitation Specialist (RQHS) who is a member of Habilitation VI UK.

For more information on habilitation you can visit the Habilitation VI UK page:

Welcome to Habilitation VI UK - Habilitation VI UK

A video showing some of the skills taught in mobility and orientation can be viewed here:

Mobility and Orientation Training Royal Blind School

The Visual Impairment Resources Library is for the use of parents/carers of children/young people with a visual impairment. 

The catalogue will show you the resources and items that are available to loan for a period of three weeks. Items are to be collected and returned to the Sensory Inclusion Service at Darby House (address below). All items need to be signed for on collection.

If there is something that you would like to loan please contact SIS via the email below.

Email address: SENDandInclusion@telford.gov.uk