Children with a visual impairment

Where can I get help for my child?

If you feel that your child may have a visual impairment you should contact your doctor or arrange for an assessment with an optician. If your child has a significant visual impairment then you will normally be referred to the nearest hospital ophthalmology department. They will then refer your child to the Service for Children with Sensory Needs team (SCSN), who can work with you to provide the support that your child needs.

If your child has a significant visual impairment and they have not already been referred by the hospital ophthalmology department to the SCSN then you should download our referral form and return it to us at the address provided:

What support is available at school?

Specialist teachers of the visually impaired and experienced teaching assistants support schools, children, and their families from birth to age 19. The amount of support your child receives will depend on their needs. Provision for a child with a significant impairment can be a full-time teaching assistant and if they use Braille they could also get two days support from a teacher of the visually impaired.

Special equipment

A range of specialised technology is available to support children with visual impairments. Children with little or no useful vision may:

  • be taught to use Braille or Moon (a simplified form of Braille) for reading
  • use a Perkins Brailler for writing
  • use a laptop computer in most lessons and if appropriate be taught to touch type
  • have curriculum materials produced in Braille and as tactile pictures or diagrams.

Partially sighted students may use equipment such as:

  • a CCTV – for magnification of text, maps and diagrams
  • a variety of magnifiers
  • large-print materials specific to the child's preferences.

Your child's teacher of the visually impaired will arrange for the appropriate equipment to be provided.

If your child's teacher has not provided equipment that you feel your child needs you can contact the Service for Children with Sensory Needs (SCSN) for more information.

Contact us

If you would like more advice on the support available for your child contact the Service for Children with Sensory Needs team.