SUPPORT
FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES
The County Sensory Team provides a comprehensive service for children with visual impairment. The ESAB Community Workers will be happy to provide support, making a home visit and make a referral to the County Sensory Team, who will be able to visit and make an assessment looking at aspects such as:-
- Understanding your child's eye condition;
- Benefits;
- Leisure activities (such as toy libraries, playgroups, large print and taped children's literature, accessing mainstream leisure, etc.), age-appropriate independent mobility;
- Parent support groups;
- Local sources of advice, (i.e. No Limits, Kids Club Network and Suffolk County Council Childcare Information Line);
- Sources of literature (RNIB Parents Pack / fact sheets / newsletters).
The County Sensory Team are obliged to assign a Rehabilitation Officer and possibly a Social Worker to provide support for visually impaired children right through to adulthood.
Education
The choice of the most appropriate school rests with the child's parents after consultation with educational and other professional advisors. Where possible, the trend nowadays is towards integrated education in local schools, rather than special schools away from home.
It is also important pre-school children are properly assessed and have the opportunity to participate with sighted children in playgroups etc. Rehabilitation Officers can refer you to the local Advisory Teacher for Sight Impaired Children if you have concerns regarding education. Additionally the RNIB produce a Parent's Pack which includes information on education.
To request support from a County Sensory Team please contact Customer First on 08456 023023.
National Organisations for Children with a Visual Impairment:
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LOOK- National Federation of Families with Visually Impaired Children - www.look-uk.org |
0121 4285038 |
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NBCS - The National Blind Children’s Society - www.nbcs.org.uk |
01278 764764 |
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Action for Leisure - www.actionforleisure.org.uk |
01926 650195 |
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RNIB Education and Employment Centre |
01132 748855 |
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Parent Support Service |
01449 616441 |
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National Library for the Blind Children's Service |
01613 552061 |
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Calibre Children's Cassette Library |
01296 432339 |
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Out and About |
01473 400207 |
Financial Help for Families
The Benefit Agency - 0800 882200
Parents or guardians of visually impaired children can claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA) on behalf of their child - the care component from the age of three months, mobility from five years. If your child is registered as severely sight impaired (blind) or in receipt of DLA you should be eligible for an extra allowance on Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Tax Credit.
The Family Fund Trust - 0845 1304542 - www.familyfundtrust.org.uk
Provides help for families of severely disabled children. Visually impaired children under 16 years of age should be eligible for help.